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Book No. Accession
♦301.15 C128^ B 575664
NOT TO BE TAKEN FROM THE LIBRARY
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IARY
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SAN FRANCISCO
PUBLIC LIBRARY
EXCERPTS FROM ASSEMBLYJOURNAL
OF APRIL 16, 1945, CONTAINING
REPORT
JOINT FACT-FINDING COMMITTEE ON
UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES
IN CALIFORNIA
JACK B. TENNEY
Chairman
HUGH M. BURNS
NELSON S. DILWORTH
JESSE RANDOLPH KELLEMS, Ph. D.
RANDAL F. DICKEY
PUBLISHED BY THE
ASSEMBLY
OF THE
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
HON. CHAS. W. LYON
SPEAKER
HON. THOMAS A. MALONEY
SPEAKER PRO TEM
ARTHUR A. OHNIMUS
CHIEF CLERK
3 0/.s± ^
TABLE OF CONTENTS
575664
Page
INTRODUCTION 5
Authorization 5
Activities of the Committee 5
Current Isms. versus American Democracy 6
Protests and Denials 6
Part I
HANS WILHELM ROHL 7
Rohl's Citizenship Status 8
Illegal Ownership of Yachts and Stock 9
Theodore Wyman, Jr 11
Werner Plack, Nazi Agent 12
Secret Military Installations in the Hawaiian Islands 18
Progress of the Work in Honolulu 20
Naturalization 29
Congressional Investigation 30
Conclusion 31
Part II
MANKIND UNITED 32
Christ's Church of the Golden Rule 33
Real Property Purchases 34
Testimony of Mrs. Bell 35
"The Voice" as a Bible Student 40
Mankind United Enterprises 43
Bell's Attitude Toward the War 43
Part III
JAPANESE PROBLEMS IN CALIFORNIA 45
California Relocation Centers 45
Shinto-Kodo-Bushido 48
Problem of Relocation During the War 49
Subversive Activities 50
Defiance at Tulelake 52
The Manzanar Disturbance 53
Tulelake Disturbances 55
The Relocation Center at Poston 58
Communist Policy on the Japanese 59
American Pro- Japanese Organizations 62
The Japanese- American Citizens' League 63
Conclusion 64
(2)
TABLE OF CONTENTS— Continued
Part IV
Page
COMMUNISM 66
1. Red-Baiting' and Red-Baiters 66
2. Communist Philosophy, Sources and Background , 68
Karl Marx _* 68
Liberalism 69
Democracy 69
Capitalism 70
The Utopians 70
Marxism 71
Religion 72
Communist Ethics 74
Marxian Dialectic 75
Materialistic Interpretation of History 77
The Class Struggle 79
The Communist Manifesto 80
The First, Second and Third Internationals 82
Communist Revolution by Force and Violence 83
Leninism or Bolshevism 83
3. Development of Communism in the United States 85
Communist Beginnings in the United States 88
Iron Control 89
Communist Discipline 89
Democratic Centralism 90
Support of Soviet Foreign Policy 90
Legal and Illegal Organizations 91
Report of California Peace Officers Association 91
The Communist Press 93
Hand-Book for Revolution 97
Communist Postwar Strategy 97
Schneiderman on Marxism 100
4. Communist Strategy in the Western Hemisphere 103
Address of Communist Laferte 105
Communist International Intrigue 106
Communist Infiltration 107
Military and Religious Opposition to Communism- _ 107
Catholics Not Deceived by Communists 109
The United States and Catholicism to Be Attacked— 109
Campaign Against the Catholic Church 110
Communist Conquest of the World 114
5. Writers Congress at U. C. L. A 115
History of Communist Party Writers' Congresses 118
The First American Writers ' Congress and the Birth of
the League of American Writers 120
Communist Right-About-Face 128
Hollywood Writers' Mobilization 130
Strategy for "Window Dressing" Congress 130
(3)
TABLE OP CONTENTS— Continued
COMMUNISM— Continued Page
6. People 's Educational Center 136
7. West Coast Communist Press 138
The Los Angeles Unitarian Church as a Communist
Meeting Place 143
8. The C.I.O. Political Action Committee 146
Communist Political Party a Failure 146
Political "Front" Technique 147
John L. Lewis and Sidney Hillman 149
Communist Inspiration and Domination 151
Communist Long-Range Objectives 152
Rehearsals for Revolution 156
Communist Control of Legislatures 158
Destruction of Legislative Investigating
Committees 159
9. "Zoot-Suit" Riots in Southern California 160
Pachuco Crimes 160
Communist Agitation 172
Sleepy Lagoon Murder Case 174
New Communist "Front" 182
Communist "Front" Sponsors 184
Waxman's Testimony 186
Communist Inspiration 193
The Sinarquistas 197
Communists versus Sinarquistas 198
Communist Agitation Among Negro Citizens 208
Findings 209
10. Conclusion 210
REPORT OF THE JOINT FACT-FINDING COM
MITTEE ON UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES
IN CALIFORNIA
INTRODUCTION
Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, and Members of the Legislature:
Your Joint Fact-Finding Committee Investigating Un-American
Activities in California herewith submits its report on investigations
conducted throughout the State during 1943 and 1944 :
AUTHORIZATION
The Joint Fact-Finding Committee on Un-American Activities in
California was created pursuant to Assembly Concurrent Resolution No.
59, filed with the Secretary of State May 12, 1943. This committee was
instructed to "investigate, ascertain, collate and appraise all facts caus-
ing or constituting interference with the National Defense Program in
California or rendering the people of the State, as a part of the Nation,
less fit physically, mentally, morally, economically or socially," and to
' ' investigate the activity of groups and organizations whose membership
include persons who are members of the Communist Party, the Fascist
Organizations, the German Nazi Bund, or any other organization known
or suspected to be dominated or controlled by a foreign power, which
activities affect the conduct of this State for National defense, the func-
tioning of any State agency, unemployment relief and other forms of
public assistance, educational institutions of this State supported in
whole or in part by State funds, or any political program." Assembly
Concurrent Resolution No. 59 authorized the committee to act during the
1943 Session of the Legislature, and until the convening of the Fifty-
sixth Legislature in 1945 and "to meet either during sessions of this Leg-
islature (1943) or during any recess hereof in any and all places in this
State, in public or executive session, ' ' and ' ' to file reports with the Legis-
lature during the Fifty-fifth Session thereof or any special extraordinary
session thereof, and to file its final report with the Fifty-sixth Legisla-
ture."
Pursuant to the provisions of the resolution, the Committee on Rules of
the Senate appointed Senator Hugh M. Burns of Fresno County and
Senator Jack B. Tenney of Los Angeles County, and the Speaker of the
Assembly appointed Assemblymen Nelson S. Dilworth of Hemet, Dr.
Jesse Randolph Kellems of Bel- Air, and Randal F. Dickey of Alameda,
as members of the committee. In compliance with the provisions of the
resolution the members of the committee, at its organizational meeting,
elected Senator Jack B. Tenney as chairman.
ACTIVITIES OF THE COMMITTEE
The accumulated testimony of witnesses since the Joint Fact-Finding
Committee was first organized in 1941 now consists of 5,387 typewritten
pages, contained in 24 transcript volumes. Exhibits, introduced in con-
nection with the testimony of witnesses, are voluminous. Many pam-
phlets, circulars, newspapers and magazines have been added to com-
mittee records.
( r, )
b UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
Mr. R. E. Combs of Visalia was unanimously selected by the committee
members to continue as chief investigator. Additional investigators
were hired from time to time. Thomas L. Cavett did special work for the
committee and Mr. W. Bruce Pine of Los Angeles continued his volun-
tary services in special phases of the committee's investigations. The
American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Anti-Defamation
League and many patriotic and fraternal organizations rendered the
committee, its members and its investigators, invaluable services. Many
individuals, who desire to be unnamed, and many patriotic organizations,
cooperated and worked with the committee, its members and investigators.
The members of the committee, following the policy laid down by the
committee in 1941, were continually mindful of the sensationalism of all
alleged subversive activities and endeavored in every way to conduct
public hearings with dignity and restraint.
The committee, as heretofore, cooperated closely with the intelligence
units of the armed forces, with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and
with State and Federal agencies.
The press of the State of California continued to be an important
adjunct to the work of the committee and, for the greater part, reported
the committee 's public hearings and investigations with accuracy.
CURRENT ISMS VERSUS AMERICAN DEMOCRACY
The committee, after two years additional study and investigation,
reiterates its findings on Communism, Fascism and Nazism as stated on
pages 9 and 10 of the committee's report of April 9, 1943. The com-
mittee finds that these isms are inimical to the most basic principles of
Constitutional Democracy as they are known and understood in the
United States.
The committee finds that Communism has grown and continues to
grow in California. The change of the name of the Communist Party of
California and of the United States to the Communist Political Associa-
tion of California and the United States has not changed or altered the
philosophy, the ultimate objectives or the techniques of the Communists.
Racial antagonisms, particularly against the Jews, have shown an
uptrend during the past two years. As pointed out in the 1943 report,
race-antagonisms and race-hatreds are part of the Nazi pattern and an
important factor in Communist agitation.
PROTESTS AND DENIALS
The 1943 report of the committee contained an affidavit of Rena
M. Vale. Miss Vale was formerly a member of the Communist Party
and her affidavit is a narration of her experiences as a Communist
Party member. On pages 141 and 142 of the committee's 1943 report
Miss Vale names John Sargent as a member of the Communist Party.
On pages 143 and 144 of the same report, Miss Vale refers to a Dr.
Samuel Marcus whom she designates as a "Communist Party 'psychi-
atrist'." Mr. John Sargent and Dr. Samuel Marcus filed affidavits
with the committee, categorically denying each and every allegation
made by Miss Vale in her affidavit. Both gentlemen specifically deny
connection, affiliation or sympathy with the Communist Party, its
activities or its objectives.
The committee is happy to have the opportunity in this report to
record the vigorous and emphatic denials of both Mr. John Sargent
UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA /
and Dr. Samuel Marcus. The sworn affidavits of both gentlemen have
been made part of the official records of the committee and are attached
to the original affidavit of Miss Rena M. Vale.
PART I
HANS WILHELM ROHL
On December 20, 1940, a contract was signed at Washington, D. C.
It provided for the construction of secret military installations in the
vicinity of Pearl Harbor, air fields, underground ammunition dumps,
buildings, military barracks, gun emplacements, hangars, and an elab-
orate aircraft warning system designed to detect the approach of hostile
aircraft. One of the parties to this most important document was the
United States of America. The other party was a concern called
"Hawaiian Constructors." A substantial interest in this firm was
owned by a German alien, Hans Wilhelm Rohl.
This man was a resident of Los Angeles, and although he had been
in the United States for 28 years, did not apply for admission to
citizenship until after he had accumulated a fortune. Three dates are
of great significance in the development of this amazing and complex
story : the date the alien arrived in this country, October, 1913 ; the
date of the contract above mentioned, December 20, 1940; and the
date of the alien's admission to American citizenship, September 15,
1941.
After almost a year of investigation the committee held a hearing
on February 27, 1943, at Los Angeles, at which time the facts of the
case were presented for the first time.
Hans "Wilhelm Rohl was born in Lubeck, Germany, on September 26,
1886. For a time he worked for mining and construction concerns in
South America. In October of 1913 he came to the United States from
Valparaiso, Chile. Shortly thereafter he was employed by the Nevada
Consolidated Copper Mining Company as a foreman in Ely, Nevada.
He later came to Sacramento, California, and was employed in that
vicinity for about nine years by various construction companies.
In November of 1924 he obtained a temporary passport from the
German Consul in San Francisco and sailed on the BeutscMand for
Germany. He spent some time at his old home in Lubeck and was in
Hamburg for several weeks. After visiting London and several other
places, he returned to the United States aboard the Steamship France
early in 1925. He married Floye Adams Hubert in August, 1925, and
took up his residence in Los Angeles.
Rohl was engaged in the construction business for himself since
1922. There apparently was much speculation concerning his financial
backing. It is reported that he stated on one occasion that his uncle
was an important official in the Hamburg-American Steamship Com-
pany, and he intimated to yachting acquaintances that he had received
financial backing from him. By 1932 his net worth was reputed at a
half million dollars. Since 1927 his firm has handled construction
contracts averaging approximately $600,000 a year.
In the spring of 1932, Thomas E. Connolly of San Francisco and
Hans Wilhelm Rohl organized "The Eohl-Conrtolly Company," hold-
8 UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
ing equal interests. Virtually all of the business of this concern con-
sisted of construction projects for the United States Army. Mr. Con-
nolly spent most of his time in San Francisco while Rohl remained in
Los Angeles, the principal place of business of the company. In addi-
tion to contracts for the Bohl-Connolly Company, Rohl continued to
operate and do business under the fictitious firm-name of the "H. W.
Rohl Company."
ROHL'S CITIZENSHIP STATUS
About two years following his return from Germany, Rohl acquired
the yacht Pandora. This boat was destroyed by fire in 1933. Rohl
replaced it with a larger boat, the Ramona. In 1937 he purchased the
Vega at an auction in New York ; a 125-foot, diesel-powered vessel, carry-
ing a crew of 16 men.
Rohl was aboard the Ramona when the boat arrived at San Pedro
from Acaculpo, Mexico, in 1933. Immigration officials made the usual
inspection, which resulted in the deportation of one member of the crew.
Although there is no doubt of Rohl's presence on the boat, his name is
missing from the manifest. This instance of Rohl 's reluctance to reveal
his alien status was, of itself, not considered particularly significant, but
when similar cases were discovered, a persistent and sometimes stub-
born pattern of concealment was disclosed.
During 1932 Rohl was engaged in building a road for the Mexican
Government from Monterey to Mexico City. During this period he
made numerous trips into Mexico and back into the United States,
via Laredo, Texas, but the immigration records at Laredo contain no
notation that Rohl ever left the country at that point.
On at least two occasions Rohl was compelled to make statements as
to his citizenship status. On January 21, 1938, the Vega dropped
anchor in Honolulu after having sailed through the Panama Canal.
Immigration officers were aware that Rohl was aboard and questioned
him concerning the place of his birth. In this connection Rohl testified
in Los Angeles on February 27, 1943 (Com. Tr., Vol. XV, p. 3753), as
follows :
Q. Mr. Combs : And you arrived in Honolulu on the twenty-first
day of January, 1938, didn't you?
A. Mr. Rohl : Yes.
Q. At this time, for your information, the immigration manifest
shows you to have been born in Iola, Kansas, on September 26, 1886.
How did the immigration officials get that information?
A. I don 't know.
Q. Have vou seen that manifest ?
A. No.
Q. Did anybody ever tell you that that information appeared
in it?
A. No — yes, yes.
Q. The immigration inspector
A. Here, after I had applied for my citizenship.
Q. They told you that on that occasion you had been manifested
as having been born in Iola, Kansas?
A. That is right. They called it to my attention.
Q. As a matter of fact, that was the birthplace of your wife?
A. Yes.
UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA 9
Q. But she wasn't born there on September 26, 1886, was she?
A. No.
Q. You were born in 1886, were you not?
A. Yes.
Q. All right. When you went to Honolulu did you go through
the Panama Canal ?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. And at Balboa you were examined by an immigration
inspector ?
A. I clon 't think so.
During the years when the Federal Government required taxpayers
to make a declaration concerning citizenship status, Rohl was again
faced with a situation that compelled him to give direct answers. Dur-
ing this period he falsely stated in his income tax returns, under oath,
that he was a citizen of the United States. He persistently concealed
his status as a German alien. He not only failed to reveal his true status
when circumstances permitted, but as far as the records show, he boldly
stated that he was an American citizen when no alternative, except dis-
closure, was open to him.
ILLEGAL OWNERSHIP OF YACHTS AND STOCK
At the committee hearing held in Los Angeles considerable conflict
was noticed between the testimony of Hans Wilhelm Rohl and his wife,
Mrs. Floye Rohl. When testifying concerning the ownership of stock
in the Rohl-Connolly Company, Mr. Rohl testified as follows (Vol. XV,
p. 3737) :
Q. By Mr. Combs : How much stock in the Rohl-Connolly Com-
pany do you own now, Mr. Rohl ?
A. 50 per cent.
Q. And have you always owned 50 per cent?
A. Yes, sir.
Mrs. Floye Rohl testified as follows (Vol. XV, pp. 3817-3818) :
Q. By Mr. Combs: Did you, yourself, Mrs. Rohl, invest any of
your own assets or capital in the Rohl-Connolly Company ?
A. Well, no, I didn't invest any, but I have a share of the com-
pany that Mr. Rohl — it is community property, yes.
Q. You mean you have an undivided half interest?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. Of whatever part he has?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. But none of the actual stock is in your name?
A. Oh, yes, there is stock in my name.
Q. How many shares?
A. Well, half of Mr. Rohl 's— 25 per cent I would say. Mr. Rohl
owns 50 per cent — I mean Mr. Connolly owns 50 per cent and there
is 50 per cent that Mr. Rohl and I own.
Q. I see. What you mean, in other words, Mr. Connolly owns
50 per cent of the stock ?
A. Yes.
10 UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
Q. And Mr. Rohl owns 50 per cent and under the community
property law you would own an undivided half of what Mr. Rohl
owns?
A. No, Mr. Rohl doesn't own 50 per cent. Mr. Rohl owns 25
per cent and I own 25 per cent.
Q. I see. 25 per cent actually stands in your name ?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. Did you pay anything for that 25 per cent of the stock 1
A. No, I didn't pay anything for it, not for mine.
Q. Was that 25 per cent transferred to you by Mr. Rohl ?
A. Yes.
The question of fire insurance on the yacht, Pandora, elicited confu-
sion and disagreement between Mr. and Mrs. Rohl. Mr. Rohl testified
as follows (Vol. XV, p. 3743) :
Q. By Mr. Combs: When did you acquire the Pandora f
A. (No answer.)
Q. Do you recall about how long ago?
A. 1927.
Q. Did you ever sail it to Honolulu ?
A. Yes.
Q. It was anchored where ?
A. Anchored? Where do you mean, here?
A. Yes.
A. At the California Yacht Club anchorage.
Q. And the boat burned, did it not ? •
A. Yes.
Q. Was it insured ?
A. Yes.
Q. And the insurance was payable to you, was it ?
A. Yes.
Mrs. Rohl, questioned on the same subject, testified as follows (Vol.
XV, pp. 3819-3820) :
Q. By Mr. Combs : Well, the Pandora was insured, was it not ?
A. Yes, that is right.
Q. And the insurance was payable to your husband ?
A. No, it was payable to me.
Q. So, the insurance company delivered you a check, did thev ?
A. Yes.
Q. For the amount ?
A. Yes, they did.
Q. And did you use that money for the purpose of purchasing the
Eamonaf
A. I used that, yes, and other moneys, of course.
The question of the ownership of the yachts, Bamona and Vega, pro-
vided another source of disagreement between Mr. and Mrs. Rohl. Mrs.
Rohl alleged that she paid all of the expenses in connection with the
maintenance and operation of the Bamona and the Vega and she stated
that she gave orders to the captain concerning the operation of each
vessel. Rohl, however, had previously testified that he employed the
captain ; that the captain hired the members of the crew, and that Rohl,
UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA 11
himself, paid all expenses for the maintenance and operation of the
yachts. Evidence before the committee shows that Rohl always directed
the movements of the vessels in question and paid all expenses for their
maintenance and operation.
Rohl remembered having sailed on the Vega from Jacksonville, Florida,
to Honolulu during the early part of 1937. The yacht was reported by
immigration inspectors in the vicinity of the Panama Canal, where each
member of the crew was interrogated concerning his citizenship status.
Rohl had no recollection whatever of the yacht ever being inspected
there. Both Rohl and his wife remembered that the vessel was boarded
by immigration inspectors in Honolulu. Rohl's alleged place of birth
does not appear on the immigration manifest on this occasion but, as
before stated, it was falsely given as Iola, Kansas, the birthplace of
his wife.
Similar disagreements between the testimony of Rohl and his wife
appear in the transcript in connection with the arrival of the Vega in
Los Angeles Harbor on its return cruise from Honolulu. Rohl admitted
that he was acquainted with one E. J. Crouse, and testified that Crouse
had hailed the Vega from his own boat, the Marlin, and that he came
aboard the Vega, when it anchored inside the breakwater. Rohl further
testified that there was no immigration inspection of the Vega at San
Pedro. The testimony of Mrs. Rohl, on the contrary, was to the effect
that she told Mr. Crouse that he could not come aboard the Vega, because
the vessel had not yet cleared immigration inspection at San Pedro.
She was able to distinctly recall that members of the crew and passengers
aboard the Vega were interrogated by immigration inspectors at San
Pedro, just as they had been questioned before the vessel sailed through
the Panama Canal and upon its arrival in Honolulu. Rohl's name does
not appear on the manifest upon the occasion of the Vega's arrival in
San Pedro and there is no indication in the official records that he was
on board. It is significant to note that Rohl, the alien, the owner of the
Vega, was, in some manner, able to avoid embarrassment with immigra-
tion inspectors. As a result of the inspection at San Pedro, one alien
aboard the Vega was deported.
THEODORE WYMAN, JR.
In July of 1935 a Captain Theodore Wyman, Jr., was transferred from
Kansas City to Los Angeles. Rohl became acquainted with Captain
Wyman some time in August of 1935. The Bohl-Connolly Company had
opened rock quarries on Catalina Island and, on at least two occasions,
Wyman sailed to Catalina on Rohl's yacht, the Bamona. The Bohl-
Connolly Company was using the rock from the quarries to cap the San
Pedro Breakwater, which was then nearing completion. Captain Wyman
and Rohl became extraordinarily intimate companions within a matter
of weeks after their first meeting.
Upon his return to California from Germany in 1925 Rohl became a
lavish spender and was a frequent visitor to popular night clubs in and
around Los Angeles. His arrival at certain clubs became a significant
and spectacular event. His entrance was the cue for all proceedings to
stop while a special musical number was rendered by the orchestra and
singers in his honor.
Rohl staged a number of bacchanalian parties for Captain Wyman in
his luxurious suite in a downtown Los Angeles hotel from time to time.
32 UX-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
The affidavits of hotel employees on file with the committee indicate that
Rohl, on these occasions, was most lavish in the entertainment of the
captain. The two men became constant companions and they were
frequently seen together in the popular night spots in Hollywood and Los
Angeles. Wyman affiliated with a number of Los Angeles organizations.
particularly the Los Angeles Athletic Club, the Los Angeles Country
Club, the California Club, the University Club, the Bel -Air Bay Club,
the Hollywood Athletic Club and Hollywood Country Club. He pur-
chased a $16,000 home in an exclusive residential district. By 1939. the
captain had become Major Theodore Wyman, Jr.
According to the affidavit of Juanita Blackwell, a domestic servant in
Rolil's employ, he first started speaking of Wyman in 1936, when the
Rohls were living in the Talmadge Apartments. Wyman soon became
a frequent visitor at the Rohl residence, and was often driven there by a
soldier in an Army ear. He telephoned Rohl at regular intervals. Mrs.
Blackwell stated that Rohl talked to "Wyman in Honolulu over the long-
distance telephone on a number of occasions and that she heard Rohl
speak to him of "hangars, runways, and landing fields."
Wyman had the reputation of being a heavy drinker and on nearly all
occasions when he and Rohl were observed together, he appeared to be
intoxicated. The following text of the affidavit of a naval officer is
typical of much of the testimony concerning Wyman :
"I first met Colonel Theodore Wyman. Jr., about 1938; I have
seen him on H. W. Rolil's yacht, the 'Vega,' four or five times, and on
each and every occasion Wyman was so drunk that he was utterly
obnoxious and incapable of transacting any business; when I was
first introduced to him, Colonel Wyman criticized my appearance
and was very insulting to me ; he would pour whiskey on the floor
and drop his burning cigarettes on the carpet.
"Mrs. Floye Rohl once stated to me that she didn't like Wyman,
but that H. W. Rohl, her husband, had to tolerate him for business
reasons."
WERNER PLACK, NAZI AGENT
Testimony was adduced at the Los Angeles hearing concerning Rohl 's
friendship with one Werner Plack, a Nazi who was formerly attached to
the German Vice Consulate in Los Angeles when that office was headed
by the ubiquitous Dr. Gyssling. When the German diplomatic offices
were ordered closed by the United States Government Plack immediately
left for Berlin by way of Japan. Arriving in the capital city of Hitler's
Third Reich, he immediately was given an important position in the
foreign office.
The relation between Werner Plack and Rohl is of considerable
importance. Rohl's testimony concerning Plack is as follows (Vol. XV,
pp. 3791-3792) :
Q. By Mr. Combs : Did you ever know a man by the name of
Werner Plack ?
A. Who?
Q. Werner Plack.
A. Not to my knowledge.
Q. You never knew Werner Plack ?
A. No.
UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA 13
Q. Don't you remember going into the Swing Club with "Werner
Plack during the summer of 1938 ?
A. No, I don't.
Q. You have no recollection of Werner Plack at all?
A. No, I don 't.
Q. Do you know where the Swing Club is or was ?
A. I know where it was.
Q. 1710 North Las Palmas Avenue, Hollywood.
A. 1710 North Las Palmas, Hollywood? That was down here?
Q. Yes.
A. Down near 833 Spring, wasn't it?
Q. Well, you know it was a club that opened, usually, after 2
o'clock in the morning. Do you remember that?
A. (No answer.)
Q. A night club.
A. (No answer.)
Q. You remember the Swing Club, don 't you ?
A. Yes, I remember the Swing Club. Wasn 't that at 833 Spring,
or some place?
Q. I don't know.
A. I don 't know myself.
Q. When were you last there?
A. I don 't know that.
Q. Well, were you ever there?
A. I suppose I was.
While in California, Werner Plack attempted to conceal his nationality.
A witness who was socially acquainted with Rohl testified (Vol. XV, pp.
3889-3890) on this point as follows :
Q. By Mr. Combs : Were you ever acquainted with an individual
by the name of Werner Plack ?
A. Yes.
Q. When did you first meet him ?
A. '35 or '36.
Q. And how long did your acquaintanceship with him continue?
A. During that year — the first year I met him.
Q. What was his nationality, if you know?
A. He claimed to be a Holland Dutchman, but, of course, we
found out later that that was not true.
Q. And what was his nationality?
A. It was German.
Mr. Combs: That is all.
The following sworn affidavit of William E. Kent is self-explanatory:
"State of California
County of Los Angeles
William E. Kent, first being duly sworn, deposes and says :
I reside at 1206 N. Flores Street, Los Angeles, California; 1 was
naturalized on July 12, 1940; I am a member of West Hollywood
Post 405, American Legion ; I am now in the insurance business for
myself; I first met Werner Plack in 1938, in Los Angeles ; some time
during the latter part of 1940 I became suspicious of Plack and
14 UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
telephoned the German Consulate in Los Angeles to see whether he
was there. I spoke German, in fact with a Russian accent, asked
for Plack and inquired if he was employed by the German Con-
sulate and he told me definitely that he was. I am absolutely certain
I was speaking to Plack because I knew him well, and recognized his
voice. I then merely made a casual inquiry concerning his health,
gave him a fictitious Russian name and hung up the telephone.
(S) William E. Kent
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 13th day of December, 1943.
(S) R. E. Combs,
Counsel for State Committee on Un-
American Activities, A. C. R. # 59.
"Witness : Bruce Pine.
Witness : John H. Weiner.
Bruce Pine testified as follows (Vol. XV, pp. 3920-3923) :
Q. By Mr. Combs : Were you here during the entire time that Mr.
Hans Wilhelm Rohl testified?
A. I was.
Q. Had you ever met that man before ?
A. Yes, on several occasions.
Q. When did you first make his acquaintance ? — About how long
ago?
A. I would say roughly, about 1933 or '34.
Q. And since the time that your acquaintance with him origi-
nated, have you met him on various occasions since ?
A. Yes.
Q. Did you hear him testify specifically that he had never known
a man bv the name of Werner Plack ?
A. I did.
Q. Did you ever know Werner Plack?
A. Yes, I knew Werner fairly well.
Q. When did your acquaintance with him commence ?
A. I should say about the year 1935.
Q. What was his nationality, if you know?
A. He was German.
Q. Do you know whether or not Mr. Rohl and Mr. Plack were
acquainted ?
A. I know definitely they were acquainted.
Q. Did you see them together on several occasions?
A. I saw them together on one occasion, which naturally stands
out in my mind, and the other occasions — so many years have gone
by and I had no reason to mark the occasion, that I hesitate to testify
definitely. But on one occasion I specifically saw them together
because something occurred which made me remember it.
Q. Was that the occasion concerning which I questioned Mr. Rohl
in your presence on Saturday ?
A. That was the occasion.
Q. That was when Mr. Rohl and Mr. Plack came into the place
commonly known as the Swing Club together ?
A. Yes. It had been known as the Swing Club and then the
name was changed to "1710 Club" which was the name of the
same place.
UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA 15
Q. It was the same, identical place?
A. Yes, same identical place and the same identical building.
Q. About when was that? I mean when you saw them together
there ?
A. Well, I believe it was in the summer of either 1938 or 1939. The
reason I recall that it must have been during the summer was because
I had been to a baseball game earlier in the evening.
Q. Did Mr. Plack and Mr. Rohl come to that place together ?
A. They came together with one other gentleman whom I did not
recognize. He was a tall, distinguished looking, white haired man.
Q. What particular incident occurred at that time and place
which called your attention to the fact that Mr. Rohl and Mr. Plack
were together ? Of course, you knew them both, did you not ?
A. Yes, I knew them both. I might say I knew Plack at that
time better than Rohl because I have never known Rohl intimately,
although I met him many times and talked with him.
Q. What incident occurred which called your particular atten-
tion to the fact that they were together at that time and place ?
A. Well, they ran a little floor show at the Swing Club and the
floor show was going on when all of a sudden the orchestra leader
stopped the music. He stopped the music and he stopped the floor
show. The music changed, and all the girls in the floor show,
including the band, sang, "Here comes Bill, here comes Bill, here
comes Bill Rohl now," so that was why it was so vividly marked in
my recollection, and with him were Werner Plack and the one other
man who I never remember having seen before or since.
The sworn affidavit of Juanita Blackwell, a former domestic in the
Rohl household heretofore mentioned reveals that Werner Plack tele-
phoned Rohl on several occasions. Plack would state his name without
hesitation and the servant was therefore able to testify as to his identity.
The testimony of Mr. Harry W. Flannery, radio commentator and
author of the book "Assignment to Berlin," follows (Vol. XV, pp. 3924-
3930) :
Q. By Mr. Combs : Mr. Flannery, how long have you resided in
southern California?
A. A little short of a year.
Q. Prior to that time where was your residence ?
A. Prior to that time my residence was in New York.
Q. And how long did you reside in New York immediately prior
to coming to southern California ?
A. From October, 1941, until I came here, which was in March
of last year.
Q. And from where did you come when you established your last
residence in New York ?
A. From Berlin, Germany.
Q. And how long a time did you spend in Berlin, Germany ?
A. Approximately a year.
Q. How did you happen to go there ?
A. I was sent to Berlin as correspondent for the Columbia Broad-
casting System.
Q. And was it your business to make broadcasts from Berlin ?
A. Right.
lb UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES TN CALIFORNIA
Q. Which you did. of course ?
A. Right.
Q. During the entire period you were there i
A. Yes.
Q. While there did you know a man by the name of Werner
Plack?
A. I did.
Q. When did your acquaintance with him originate ?
A. Early in 1941.
Q. That was when you first went to Berlin ?
A. I had been there several months at that time. I arrived in
1940.
Q. How did you happen to make his acquaintance ?
A. I made his acquaintance through Charlie Lanius of N. B. C.
Lanius had met Plack, who had just come to Berlin and was at the
time connected with the radio department for the German Foreign
Office.
Lanius brought Plack up to my room and I met him up there, and
we talked afterwards. I met Plack a number of times principally
because of his connections with radio for the foreign office. He was
a censor and he also arranged programs. He arranged the Wode-
house release.
Q. Spell that, please.
A. P. G. Wodehouse, an English author who was released from
an internment camp and then principally because of publicity he
broadcast for the Germans. Plack arranged that.
Q. Plack arranged that?
A. Yes, he got the idea it would be a good stunt to release Wode-
house and make a little publicity out of it, because Wodehouse would
be more listened to than some of the Germans who were on the air,
and they might, thereby be able to get over their story better.
He also planned, so far as I know, to put on Luckner, the Sea
Devil — Count Felix von Luckner, who is well known in this country
and who has been well liked, also the Crown Prince.
Q. The Crown Prince of Germany?
A. Yes ; one of the Eckeners and a number of others of that same
kind, figuring that those people would get audiences in the United
States and German propaganda would be more listened to.
Q. Do you know whether or not Werner Plack had any connec-
tion with Fritz Weidemann at any time ?
A. Not from personal knowledge, although I understand he was
connected with Fritz Weidemann before he left California.
He principally sold wines here. He came out here to go into the
movies but found out that he wasn't able to get into the movies and
instead made connections by selling wine, German wines, principally.
Q. Do you know whether or not Werner Plack had any connection
with Dr. Gyssling, the German consul, while in the United States?
A. I know nothing of that.
Q. Now, will you please describe in detail, Mr. Flannery, just
what duties Plack had to perform in connection with his position
with the German Foreign Office while you were in Berlin?
UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA 17
A. Well, his principal duties were to arrange broadcasts to go to
the United States.
Q. Yes.
A. He was not the head of that department. The head of that
department was a fellow by the name of Lilyenf eldt. His first name
escapes me — George von Lilyenfeldt. At times when Lilyenfeldt
was away Plack had complete charge of the department for the
foreign office.
For several months, three or four months after the Russian cam-
paign had begun, Lilyenfeldt, who had been a resident of the Baltic
States, was sent up there to do some work, and during that period
Plack was completely in charge of the radio department.
Among his duties was to act as a censor for the foreign office for
radio broadcasts to the United States.
I might mention that at least one-third of the times that he came
out to do the censoring he was drunk and on a few occasions he
was so tight he could not read my copy, and one night he asked me
to read it to him, which was very foolish. I could have read him
anything and he would have 0. K. 'd it, except he thought something
should be changed in it, so he suggested, 'Let us change this thing
up here,' and he started scratching out stuff. I had to stop him
because I could not read anything after he would get through with
that sort of thing.
In addition to acting as censor he was one of the contact men for
us and would arrange for us to go on various trips. For instance,
when Matsuoko came there he arranged the trip for me. We met
Matsuoko and went down to Potsdam and he would always arrange
those things, whereby we would be able to make other trips and
make other contacts and so forth.
The Foreign Office Propaganda Ministry had men for that par-
ticular purpose. Their job also was trying to make us fellows feel
better and thereby hoping we might be sold more on Nazi Germany.
They had men selected for that purpose to try to sell the corre-
spondents.
Q. Was Plack one of those men ?
A. Plack was one of those men. Of course Plack liked it very
well because it gave him a big expense account.
Q. He was rather convivially inclined?
A. Oh, yes, he would like a job of that kind.
Q. As a matter of fact, you mentioned' Plack in your book,
"Assignment to Berlin," did you not?
A. That is right.
Q. How is the book doing?
A. Very well, thank you.
Q. A very interesting book.
A. Thank you.
Q. When did you come back from Germany?
A. I arrived back here October 14. I left Berlin September 29,
1941.
Q. Do you know at all how long it was after Werner Plack arrived
in Germany that he obtained this position in the German Foreign
Office?
18 UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
A. As far as I know, it was immediately.
Q. Immediately upon his arriving ?
A. I know of no lapse in between. Of course, there may have
been, but I know of none.
Q. Do you know when he arrived there, about ?
A. No. I estimate it was — that is pretty difficult for me to place,
because I don't seem to be able to connect it with anything except
the fact I mentioned Lanius — that Lanius did not arrive until early
in 1941 and that I met him with Lanius, so I know it was early in
1941, but I can not place it more definitely than that. I can't set it
as to what part of January or whenever it was.
Chairman Tenney: It was early in 1941?
The Witness : Early in 1941, yes.
Q. By Mr. Combs: Mr. Flannery, in your conversations with
Werner Plack from time to time, did he ever boastfully mention any
of his propaganda activities in the United States — any of his pro-
German activities in the United States ?
A. Yes, in a certain respect. He is a peculiar fellow. He had
an article from one of the magazines over here. I think it was one
of the movie magazines. I am not sure of that. I remember he
had it. He had all kinds of American magazines, particularly
Vogue, which he liked to show to the ladies, in which there was an
article about German people who had operated in the United States,
and accused them of espionage, and merely among the names down
at the end was Werner Plack, which he seemed to be very proud of.
He took it around and showed it to everybody. It did not in any
way speak very respectfully of Mr. Plack but he did not seem to be
bothered by that fact.
SECRET MILITARY INSTALLATIONS IN THE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS
In 1939 Major Wyman was sent to the Hawaiian Islands to take charge
of the construction of certain secret installations near Pearl Harbor for
the Army. These installations included gun emplacements, air fields,
underground ammunition reserve storehouses, aircraft warning systems,
hangars and buildings. The contract for these installations was given
to Rohl's concern. Wyman talked from the islands to Rohl in Los
Angeles over the long distance telephone on several occasions after the
contract was signed, but before Rohl became an American citizen.
The preliminary negotiations for the contract were conducted by Rohl.
Major Wyman had met with Rohl and Connolly in San Francisco prior
to Wyman 's departure for Hawaii and had conferred about the contracts
prior to the final negotiations which were concluded in Washington, D. C,
in December of 1940. The basic contract was consummated December
20, 1940, by Rohl's attorney, a Mr. Frank Martin, Jr., Thomas E. Con-
nolly, Rohl's business associate, and a Mr. Paul Grafe, who acted on
behalf of the W. E. Callahan Construction Company of Los Angeles.
Rohl remained in Los Angeles during the Washington negotiations but
he was by no means out of touch with the proceedings, as the records of
the Southern California Telephone Company reveal that he called Grafe
on the telephone December 6th and that he called Martin, his attorney,
December 14th, and Connolly December 18th. Several long distance
telephone conversations took place between Wyman and Rohl during
UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA 19
the early summer of 1941. It should be emphasized here that, through-
out the negotiations for this most important contract, Hans Wilhelm
Rohl was an alien and a subject of Hitler's Third Reich.
The Federal law prohibits an alien access to plans and specifications
or other information concerning secret Army or Navy installations of
the character called for by the contract in question. Rohl did not receive
United States citizenship until September 15, 1941. The negotiations
above-mentioned took place in the latter part of 1940. The records of the
Southern California Telephone Company disclose that telephone con-
versations took place between Major Wyman in Honolulu and Hans
Wilhelm Rohl in Los Angeles on January 4th, 9th and 17th and on
February 5th, March 19th and May 22, 1941, after the basic contract
had been signed.
Nearly eight months before Rohl became a citizen of the United States
Major Wyman requested him to come to Honolulu to take part in the
work. Wyman 's request was as follows :
''Reference is made to secret contract % 414-ENG-602, with the
Hawaiian Constructors for work in the Hawaiian Islands. As
you are actively interested in this venture I desire you to proceed
to Honolulu at your earliest convenience to consult with the district
engineers, relative to ways and means to accomplish the purpose of
this contract. ' '
Rohl was questioned closely at the February, 1943, hearing concern-
ing his familiarity with Federal statutes making it an offense for an
alien to have access to information in secret military installation con-
tracts. Rohl's testimony on this subject is as follows (Vol. XV, pp. 3807-
3809) :
Q. (By Mr. Combs) When you first obtained the contracts
for the construction of military installations, did you tell Major
Wyman that you were an alien ?
A. I did on the Hawaiian Constructors.
Q. But you didn't on any other projects?
A. We don't have it — there are no restrictions — I mean on a
Government contract you are not questioned as to whether you are
a citizen or not, but on this particular contract, Contract 602, being
a secret contract, of course, I told him — I had to tell him.
Q. Are you familiar with the provisions of the law regarding such
contracts ?
A. Secret contracts ?
Q. Well, secret, confidential, or restricted contracts.
A. Yes.
Q. I will read the law to you and see whether or not this is your
understanding of it.
"No aliens employed by a contractor in the performance of
secret, confidential, or restricted government contracts shall
be permitted to have access to the plans or specifications, or the
work under such contracts, or to participate in the contract
trials, unless the written consent of the head of the Govern-
ment Department concerned has been first obtained.
"Any alien who obtains employment on secret, confidential,
or restricted government contracts by wilful misrepresenta-
20 UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
tion of his alien status, or who makes such wilful misrepre-
sentation while seeking such employment, shall be penalized
by a fine of $10,000 or five years in the Federal Penitentiary.
"For the purpose of this section the term "person" shall be
construed to include an individual, partnership, association,
corporation or other business enterprise. ' '
Is that your understanding of the law ?
A. Absolutely. Now, as a matter of fact, before we took this
contract the War Department was told, and I didn't see the con-
tract or the plans or specifications purposely until after I was a
citizen.
PROGRESS OF THE WORK IN HONOLULU
Within a few days after being granted United States citizenship Rohl
left for Honolulu to join Wyman. Evidence before the committee
reveals that the entire project soon became enmeshed in a bewildering
tangle of countermanded and contradictory orders resulting in an ever-
mounting waste of time and material.
Mr. Ray Anderson, an electrician for the Hawaiian Constructors,
testified before the committee, March 1, 1943, as follows (Vol. XV,
pp. 3904-3919) :
Q. Mr. Combs : Now, while you were over there, Mr. Anderson,
did you ever have any occasion to see Major Wyman in an intoxicated
condition ?
A. Mr. Anderson: Yes.
Q. When was that?
A. During February and March and five days before Colonel
Wyman left his job he lay in the hotel drunk all the time.
Q. For how long a time ?
A. Five days.
Q. Do you know that of your own personal knowledge?
A. Yes, I can prove it.
Q. While you were working over there, Mr. Anderson, were there
any Japanese employed by the Hawaiian Constructors in executive
capacities ?
A. There were Japanese in the office, Japanese superintendents —
that is, superintendents over — not of an area, but superintendents
over different constructors, such as carpenters and electricians, and
gangs like that; the Merchant Electrical Contractors and Supply
Company which Vera —
Q. Who is the head of that ?
A. Vera. They employed 36 electricians. They came into our
gang. When I left Honolulu, two days before I sailed, I was at
their stockroom and five of our men were in this Japanese gang.
They worked out of Area 10.
Q. Was a portion of the work actually supervised by Japanese?
A. Yes. The Japanese were permitted to go into every part of
the island except Pearl Harbor and Diamond Head tunnels and
General Emmons tunnels, where the headquarters were.
Now, I went on to Hickam Field after I was there, I think, two
weeks, with a Hawaiian Constructors' badge on me. I spent three
hours in there. I went all over the hangars and everywhere and I
came back up to G2 and talked to the captain there about it, asking
UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA 21
why in the world that they permitted people with those badges to
walk into a place like Hickam Field with the setup they had there,
and he said he didn 't know.
Q. When was that?
A. That was in the early part of March of last year.
Chairman Tenney : 1942 ?
The Witness : Yes.
Chairman Tenney : Let me ask a question, Mr. Combs. Is it your
statement, Mr. Anderson, that these Japanese had considerable to do
with the supervision of the work on the island ?
The Witness : They were working in the office and in places where
they have the plans of the United States Engineers. They had
them in the offices with them. They were in every position there
except certain places. They could not go into Diamond Head Tun-
nel or General Emmons Tunnel or into Pearl Harbor. You had to
have special passes that were good only for that particular setup
in those places. They could not go there but everywhere else that
I know of on the island, including Hickam Field they could go.
Last August the Japanese were working in there.
Chairman Tenney : Were those in the category of secret installa-
tions ?
The Witness : Well, I should say that they would be because they
had the Aircobras and the Boeings and all the big airplanes scattered
throughout those fields.
The men had a row at Bellows Field and refused to work for
one day, or a part of a day, until certain Japanese were removed
from there. That was some time last April.
Chairman Tenney : 1942 ?
The Witness : Yes, sir.
Chairman Tenney: It is your testimony that the Japanese had
considerable to do with the supervision of the work ?
The Witness : They tell you there that the Japanese are 90 per
cent more loyal than we are ourselves.
Chairman Tenney : That is what they tell you in Hawaii ?
The Witness : They tell you that in Hawaii. They tell you that
they don 't like us there. There is no fooling about that.
Chairman Tenney : The Japanese you mean ?
The Witness : No, the white people that live with the Japanese.
There is a peculiar financial setup in the Hawaiian Islands in which
the sugar interests dictate the financial set-up there. The poor man
was never able to get any money there. The only place he can get
money or credit is from the Japanese banks and stores and conse-
quently he is friendly to the Japanese.
It was my firm opinion from the time I got there that they didn 't
particularly care whether we had the Islands or whether the Jap-
anese had them.
Chairman Tenney : It was immaterial ?
The Witness: Yes.
Chairman Tenney : Were these Japanese that you have referred
to employees of the Hawaiian Constructors ?
The Witness: Yes. You see, a civilian there, except a few engi-
neers when we went there belonged to the Constructors — they were
22 UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
working under the U. S. E. D. I will tell you it is a super WPA
set-up.
Q. By Mr. Combs : You mean the United States Engineer Corps?
A. U. S. E. D. Just like you had with the WPA in the States.
That is what they called it.
Q. What did that stand for?
A. I never did know — U. S. Engineer Department, I guess.
Q. Mr. Rohl testified, Mr. Anderson, that he was personally
directing the work on the Island of Oahu and under him worked
these individuals whom you have mentioned as superintendents,
on the various projects. Was that the fact when you were there?
A. Mr. Woolley was considered the head.
Q. Yes.
A. He was the chairman of the executWe committee which con-
sisted of Mr. Woolley, Rohl and Benson. Now, whether Rohl —
I have always believed that Ralph Woolley was the front man.
Q. A front man?
A. Yes. Ralph Woolley was the man who would do the right
thing if he could. He talked very little. You could get very little
out of Ralph Woolley.
Q. Who did you believe he was fronting for?
A. For the outfit that came from here. There is some connection
between this gang in the States and that outfit and they wanted
men from there so if there is any question raised, there is a possibil-
ity that we would get out of it.
Q. In what business was Mr. Dillingham engaged ?
A. They were part of the Constructors and pulled out I think in
May or June.
Q. Of 1942?
A. 1942, yes. For some reason Dillingham came out and the
assistant superintendent in Area 10, I don't remember his name
at the present time. He was taken from there and sent to Johnson
Island with certain men that he took with him.
Q. Did the Hawaiian Constructors also do work on Johnson
Island ?
A. I don't know whether they did or not. They did work at
Christmas and Canton. General Tinker ran them out of Christmas
Island.
Q. For what reason ?
A. Weren't getting any work done.
Q. After the battle of Midway did the Hawaiian Constructors
do any work on Midway ?
A. There were some men went over there. There was a fellow
by the name of Miller here in Glendale who went there on the air
conditioning. He was a Hawaiian Constructors man. He was
over there 10 days. He came back in the same convoy. I don 't know
anything about him personally, but they had five or six men out
there — shipped them somewhere where we didn't even know.
Miller told men then that he had to go to Midway and what had
taken place in Midway.
UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA 23
Now, there is another feature behind this whole thing of which
I can only give you indirect evidence. If I can find the man today
I will get him.
Last year, in March or April there were 180 men shipped to New
Caledonia by the Hawaiian Constructors. They didn't even know
where they were going. When they arrived there in New Caledonia
they found out it was a French Possession and refused to land.
They said, ' ' Anywhere in American territory but not in foreign ter-
ritory," so they came back. They brought them back to camp.
They were shipped to sea in an open barge with an ocean-going tug
pulling them for five and a half days to Suva. I saw the letter
signed by the Governor of Suva to the effect that if those men
crossed certain lines they were to be shot down. That was Governor
Wild.
Q. When was that trip to Suva made ?
A. Some time, I think, in March. I met the man in April.
Q. March, 1942?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. What was the nature of the work that that party was to do ?
A. They went out there — they were building an airfield and sub-
marine base.
Q. Building an airfield and submarine base?
A. Yes.
Q. And that was the Hawaiian Constructors?
A. Yes.
Q. On the Island of Suva?
A. No, on the Island of Canton.
Q. Canton Island ?
A. Yes. They pulled them out from there to Suva.
Q. Are you acquainted with Paul Grafe ?
A. Is this the gentleman here ?
Q. No, no, I am just asking you.
A. No, I don't remember, but this gentleman's face is familiar
to me.
Q. Did Mr. Rohl make frequent trips away from the Island of
Oahu while you were there ?
A. Yes.
Q. Will you explain what you observed in that regard?
A. Well, I will tell you. When Rohl left his car — he always
parked his car on the lot — Rohl parked right behind Alexandria
Hall when he used to go there to eat and, of course, we could always
tell when he wasn't in Honolulu.
Q. You could tell what?
A. That he was gone.
Q. Rohl was gone?
A. Yes, because it was impossible to follow him. There was a
rumpus raised in San Francisco when some of the men came back
in regard to their pay and the claim was filed with the Compensation
Commissioner here for $8,000 and Rohl was — he flew back here.
We never saw Rohl that time for three or four weeks. He disappeared
completely and finally he showed up again.
24 UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
Q. Now, you are speaking about the parking space which was
allocated to Mr. Rohl. Where was that parking space ?
A. Exactly behind the back door of Alexandria Hall, the head-
quarters.
Q. Was there anv marking or designation on it ?
A. Yes.
Q. To show to whom each individual space was allocated?
A. Rohl, Middleton, Woolley and Benson each had a spot there.
Q. Were their names painted on the asphalt ?
A. No ; there was a fence rail — a one-by-three plank painted white
there with their names on each one of them.
Q. In black paint?
A. Black paint.
Q. Were you familiar with the automobile commonly used by
Mr. Rohl when he was on the Island 1
A. Yes, he used a black car then.
Q. Of course you were able to observe at times, the car was occu-
pying the space which was allocated to him ?
A. Yes.
Chairman Tenney : Mr. Anderson, have you any further light you
can throw on this matter that you think might be of interest ?
The Witness : I would like to go into something about the plans.
We never did, and to my knowledge to the day I left there, we never
had a plan for the headquarters job that we did.
They left a hole in the tunnel six by seven foot that never was
closed up.
Mr. Combs: What tunnel?
The Witness : Headquarters of the United States Army, Hawaiian
Department, and things of that kind. We couldn 't get material, we
couldn't get anything. You couldn't get anybody to do anything.
We believed that sabotage, in the sense that they were holding up
the work and blaming the men, was going on.
Q. By Mr. Combs : Who was holding up the work?
A. Whoever had charge of it.
Q. Of the Hawaiian constructors?
A. Evidently, because they were our bosses.
Q. You say this tunnel was located — the United States Army
Headquarters tunnel was located where ?
A. In that tunnel.
Q. Where was the tunnel on the island ?
A. Right in front of Red Hill.
Q. That is what I want.
A. There is a big magazine there.
Q. And Red Hill overlooks Pearl Harbor?
A. Yes, and there is a hill in front of Red Hill towards Hickam
Field. This hill lays between Hickam Field and Red Hill. There
were eight tunnels there and they had lateral tunnels and they had
been preparing that for a year. The soldiers had driven a vehicular
tunnel through the west end of it, from one end to the other of it.
We went in there and we fixed it up so it was gas-proof and
installed all kinds of equipment, including air-conditioning and stuff
UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA 25
like that. We did it without plans and without any help from
anyone whatever.
Q. Who was in charge — who, individually, was in charge of that
installation ?
A. The superintendent was Charles Winstead.
Q. Did he work under the immediate direction of Mr. Rohl ?
A. lie was working under him — he was working under — I will
think of his name in a minute — Frank Olmstead, or something like
that. He was the Army superintendent.
Q. Under whom did Mr. Olmstead work?
A. Under headquarters at Alexandria Hall.
Q. And Alexandria Hall was where Mr. Rohl's car was parked?
A. Yes, that is where the Hawaiian Constructors headquarters
were. They had all their equipment there except the personnel
department, which was in a school — a grammar school.
Q. Mr. Anderson, how do you know Colonel Wyman was intoxi-
cated for five days?
A. Well, I saw him up there three or four times and everyone
that is in there — the place was run for that purpose, practically.
Japanese girls hanging out there every night for that crowd and the
ones that stay in the main part of the hotel — you see the hotel is split
up into several large bungalows or dormitories outside, and then
the hotel proper was occupied by some Army officers and Colonel
Wyman.
Q. Including Colonel Wyman?
A. Yes.
Q. What was Colonel Wyman 's general reputation among the
employees of the Hawaiian Constructors for sobriety ?
A. Colonel Wyman was a man who liked liquor exceptionally
well. He may never get drunk, but he likes it.
Q. What do you mean, ' he may never get drunk ' ?
A. A lot of them can carry a lot of liquor and you don't think
they are drunk.
Q. But you testified that he was drunk for five days.
A. Yes, he was.
Q. Have you seen people in an intoxicated condition before ?
A. Oh, yes.
Q. And that would be your opinion of his condition during those
five days?
A. Absolutely.
Mr. Combs : I think that is all unless you have something else to
add that you think might be helpful to the committee.
The Witness: Well, some of the stuff wouldn't have anything on
this matter, but I wish this thing could be brought to the attention
of Washington.
Q. We wish so too.
A. Things are rotten out there. There is no kidding about it. I
am an American 61 years old, and I went to Honolulu with the idea
of helping out and I tell you honestly once I finished that job there
it done no good. I tore stuff apart there five and six times and put
it together. There was never any reason for it. Charlie Winstead,
who I was speaking about, treated me fine but still down in a man 's
26 UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
heart he is not an American in any sense or form because he believes
the Japanese is the right fellow and I know he is not.
There isn't a question on earth but everything has been blocked
up there, either from Washington or some other position, and it is
about time that somebody did something about it. Emmons is
absolutely helpless now. I hear a lot of things in that tunnel because
T work in those offices with them while business was going on, and
we hear a lot of things that we can't talk about any place unless it
goes into the place where something will be done about it.
I made three reports to G2 because I would walk right into them
and talk to them. They knew of the things that happened, but there
was never anything done about it.
Chairman Tenney : Was there any discussion with reference to the
loyalty of these men to the United States ?
The Witness : I will tell you candidly as far as our men were
concerned, Senator, I don't think there was any of them — the
majority of the men that went over there were men over 40 years old
and the only reason they were there was because they could not take a
gun. I have been quite a bit here in Southern California and
worked on these defense jobs and I couldn't understand why the
young men didn 't want to go to war, but that gang of men that went
there really wanted to go and do some good, and most of them were
so disgusted after six weeks they didn 't know what to do, and it was
our idea that the thing was done with the purpose of making us
disgusted, and they could put it down that we wouldn't work.
Now, I have been in defense work ever since December of last year
with the idea of trying to help out. I am an electrician and a good
one. I had a contractor's license in this State and I know what
I am doing, and when you turn around and find things like that it
hurts down deep because you know that certain men, either for
money or for some other reason, are destroying the morale of the
workers.
Chairman Tenney : What I mean, Mr. Anderson, was there reflec-
tion or opinion expressed in reference to the loyalty of the men that
were in charge of all this work ?
The Witness : The men out there thought Wyman and the whole
gang of them ought to be shot. That is the truth.
Chairman Tenney : You know that of your own knowledge ?
The Witness : Yes, I do.
Chairman Tenney : And upon what did they base that particular
opinion ?
The Witness : The accusations of them. We couldn 't get paid.
We couldn 't get our overtime. We couldn 't get nothing at all. We
would get, "This is a new setup. This is this and that is that," and
other things. One man told me out of his own mouth that we were
at sea four days before they knew we were coming and they didn 't
know how many were coming until we actually landed.
Chairman Tenney : I am referring more specifically to the prog-
ress of the work and the way it was carried on.
The Witness : The work has dragged. They will be another year.
They have moved hills and moved them back again, and they have
filled holes and dug them out again; and I will swear that that
UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA 27
runway, from what I can hear of it, at Bellows Field, has been done
a dozen times.
Chairman Tenney: Do you think that has been done inten-
tionally ?
The Witness : I do. I honestly believe it is intentional. After
the Battle of Midway it was a great thing while it happened, and
those planes came in and out of there for three days. We needed
those fields but they weren 't ready.
The work which the Hawaiian Constructors were to perform under
the basic contract was on a cost, plus a fixed fee basis. This meant that
Hawaiian Constructors would be paid for the actual cost of labor and
materials and, in addition, a fixed fee. As work started on the various
installations, supplementary contracts appeared to be necessary, each
calling for new installations and additional fixed fees. Committee
investigators were told that this contract was probably the first in the
history of the United States War Department in which the Government
acted as a disbursing agency, making payments to the contractors on the
basis of the contractor 's books and records. Under the terms and provi-
sions of the contract and its supplemental agreements, based on the rec-
ords and accounts of the Hawaiian Constructors, the Army issued checks
as requested.
Many workmen who had been employed by the Hawaiian Construc-
tors on the installations in question were interviewed by committee
investigators upon their return to California. All of these workers told
a consistent story of waste and inefficiency.
As an illustration of the confusion attendant upon the construction
program, a superintendent in charge of cutting a tunnel through solid
rock, stated that he had received an order from Wyman 's office instruct-
ing him to neither remove the dirt and rock-debris from the tunnel nor
to leave the same in the tunnel. On another occasion the superintendent
received an order specifying a 30 degree turn to the left in the tunnel,
and after the excavation for the turn had been properly made through
solid rock according to the specification and the order, another order
was issued requiring that the excavation for the left turn be filled up and
another turn made 30 degrees to the right. Committee investigators
were told of an administration building of reinforced concrete being
constructed on a flat area. When the concrete for the floor, the walls
and part of the ceiling had been poured and set, an order came from
Colonel Wyman 's office ordering the entire structure moved four inches.
According to statements of the men who actually worked on the job,
underground hangers and machine shops for Flying Fortresses lagged
sadly behind schedule. This, according to the men, was, in a large part,
due to the fact that when a portion of the construction neared completion,
orders would be issued calling for many trivial and unnecessary changes.
The contract called for an elaborate system of aircraft warning devices.
This had not been completed according to schedule when the Japanese
struck Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 . Commenting on this phase of
the work, the House Military Affairs Committee charged mismanage-
ment of the construction work in Hawaii, and stated that much of the
element of surprise of the Japanese sneak attack could have been averted
if the aircraft warning system had been completed on schedule.
28 UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
Although there were other contracting companies in the islands which,
prior to the Japanese attack, had been doing work for the Army, their
contracts were canceled and Hawaiian Constructors granted the exclu-
sive contracts to perform the task of repair and reconstruction. This not
only applied to the Hawaiian Islands, but to the entire Pacific area.
The following affidavit of H. J. King is characteristic of similar affi-
davits, statements and testimony of other men who had been employed in
the islands by Hawaiian Constructors :
State of California
County of Los Angeles
H. J. King who resides at 904 South Oakland St., Pasadena, first
being duly sworn, deposes and says :
I was on active service in the Army Engineers from December,
1917, to September, 1919, with the rank of Major, when I resigned
in 1929. I studied engineering at Northwestern University, where
my son is now a professor.
About January 15th, 1942, I had completed a project at San Luis
Obispo and learned that a tunnel man was needed at the Hawaiian
Islands and was eventually employed by Paul Grafe for Hawaiian
Constructors Company and arrived in Honolulu on February 16,
1942, and lived in the President Hotel, until January 25th, 1943.
I met Hans W. Rohl a day or two after I arrived. He was drunk
when we met, and although I saw him many times thereafter, I
never did see him when he was fully sober ; and he was never in full
possession of his faculties during the time I saw him.
The work being done during the period when Col. Theodore
Wyman, Jr. Avas in charge was quite muddled. This was due to a
variety of causes, some being the fact that there was a natural state
of confusion following the attack on Pearl Harbor, and a constantly
changing tactical situation throughout the Pacific Theatre. Among
the business people who came in contact with Wyman, there was a
general impression that he was extremely arbitrary.
After Col. Wyman left, the situation began to improve; more
equipment began to arrive and our program was much more definite.
I was there when Kohl's yacht, the Vega, arrived in February,
1942, and I used to see it tied to the dock from time to time. The
United States Engineers Department took over the Vega upon her
arrival, but so far as I know they never used the boat, because she
just remained tied up and was never sailed at all.
When I arrived, I laid around about 30 days before Rohl got
sufficiently sober to put me to work. On about March 15th, 1942, I
commenced work as area superintendent for Area 14, which
included the Ewa Area. After a little time, two weeks had elapsed,
I was appointed General Superintendent for Hawaiian Construc-
tors, April 3, 1943, and thenceforth until I left, I had complete
supervision over all field work.
Generally speaking, the work that had been accomplished under
the supervision of Col. Wyman prior to December 7th, 1941, was
pretty lousy; and when the people of the Hawaiian Islands who
were familiar with this work — officers and civilians alike — learned
that Col. Wyman had been awarded the Distinguished Service
UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA 29
Medal for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in
the performance of duty of great responsibility as district engineer,
Honolulu (T.H.) Engineer District, from October 14, 1941 to March
15, 1942, it was a source of considerable amusement.
(S) H.J.King,
Signed and notarized on
December 18th, 1943."
NATURALIZATION
Rohl applied for United States citizenship in 1941 and the applica-
tion was filed in Los Angeles. Agents of the Immigration and Naturali-
zation Service proceeded to examine Rohl 's background and to look into
his past activities. The result of this investigation revealed that Rohl 's
name was peculiarly missing from the manifests of the Romona and Vega
on the occasions already referred to. It was learned, on word from
United States immigration officials stationed at Laredo, Texas, that it
would have been impossible for anyone to have entered the United States
and Mexico at that point without being closely questioned concerning
citizenship status. Federal agents learned that Rohl had been employed
in mining and construction projects in South America but that his cer-
tificate of entry at New York stated that he was a merchant on his way
to see a Mr. W. P. Walker in San Francisco. It was learned that he had
claimed American citizenship when he applied for a radio telephone for
the yacht Vega and that this statement constituted a violation of Sec-
tion 30, Paragraph 1A of the Communications Act of 1934. It was
learned that Rohl's name did not appear on the manifest of the Vega
when the yacht returned from Honolulu in 1938, although Rohl was on
board. The Rohl-Connolly Company paid a $25,000 fine to the Federal
Government September 4, 1941, because more than 25 per cent of the
stock in the company was held by the alien Rohl in violation of Fed-
eral law.
"When the immigration investigators had completed their work they
recommended that Rohl 's application for citizenship be denied and that
he be prosecuted for violation of the Federal law. The report and rec-
ommendation of the investigators was made to the Chief of the Naturali-
zation Bureau. In spite of the report and recommendation no objection
was raised by the Department of Justice in the memorandum handed
the Federal District Judge in the naturalization proceedings. Rohl
was granted citizenship September 15, 1941, in the Federal District
Court in Los Angeles by Judge J. F. T. 0 'Connor.
It should be stated here that no implication of any kind is raised
against Judge J. F. T. 0 'Connor. The chairman of the committee and
its investigators have carefully examined the records of Judge
O'Connor's court for September 15, 1941, and find no irregularities
whatsoever in connection with the granting of citizenship to Rohl. The
file of the Immigration and Naturalization Service and the recommenda-
tion of the Federal agents were not before Judge O'Connor at the time
naturalization was granted. The memorandum before the judge at the
time of Rohl's hearing stated that "No objection will be made to the
granting of this petition," and concluded with the statement that the
petitioner, as president of the Rohl-Connolly Contracting Company had
"been awarded a secret contract in connection with a defense construc-
tion project in Honolulu" and that "his participation in this project is
30 UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
being held up until he has been naturalized. ' ' With this memorandum
before him, and no legal objection having been raised in the hearing, the
judge could do nothing less than grant Rohl naturalization. The memo-
randum had been prepared by the Department of Justice and handed to
the court, and fully justified the decision of the judge in granting Kohl
citizenship. If the Government of the United States was satisfied to
award a German alien an important ' ' secret contract in connection with
a defense construction project," certainly a judge of the United States
District Court could not refuse to grant citizenship under the circum-
stances. To do anything else would, in addition to a reversal by the
circuit court, have subjected the judge to serious criticism, particularly
in view of the disaster that occurred at Pearl Harbor two and one-half
months later.
The committee has learned that the procedure in the Rohl naturaliza-
tion incident was the routine generally followed. Comment has been
made that the Rohl proceeding was a ''special" proceeding, but the
record reveals that about 27 applicants were heard by Judge O'Connor
on that day. There were no circumstances before the court that would
have tended to put Judge 0 'Connor on inquiry and the committee finds
that he acted with full integrity and patriotism.
Although Judge 0 'Connor was not aware of the fact, an attempt had
been made to give the Rohl application preferential treatment. A let-
ter, written on the stationery of the United States Department of Justice,
is evidence of the insistence of someone that Rohl's application for citi-
zenship be made "a special case." This letter was dated February 4,
1941 and marked ' ' Special. ' ' It was directed to the District Director,
Immigration and Naturalization Service, Los Angeles, California, and
signed "Lemuel B. Schofield, Special Assistant to the Attorney General,
by: P. B. Shoemaker, Deputy Commissioner." It reads as follows :
"It is understood that one (Hans or John) Wilhemi Rohl made
application for the certificate of arrival in your office on the third
instant.
"The services of this alien will be used in connection with the
defense program. Please make it a special case. It is meant by
this that the application for certificate of arrival should be made
special, the filing of a petition also, and the hearing, if it can be
immediately disposed of, after the 30 clays after its filing.
"Report in connection in this case when it has been finally dis-
posed of will be appreciated. ' '
"When asked on the witness stand why he had not made an application
for admission to citizenship at an earlier date, Rohl merely shrugged
his shoulders and stated : ' ' Negligence — busy traveling — never gave it
a thought. ' ' ( Vol. XV, p. 3807. )
CONGRESSIONAL INVESTIGATION
During November of 1942 the Chairman of the Committee, Senator
Jack B. Tenney, conferred with United States Attorney General Francis
Biddle in Washington, D. C. The Attorney General was immediately
interested in the Rohl case and asked the chairman of the committee to
prepare an outline of the findings of the committee, together with such
other information as might be available, and to send it to him marked
UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA 31
' ' Personal. ' ' This was done immediately upon Senator Tenney 's return
to Los Angeles.
In February of 1943 the committee learned that Rohl had been
awarded a contract on the Alcan Project in Alaska. Some time later
Rohl received a new contract on the Canol Project in Canada.
During the summer of 1943, Fulton Lewis, Jr., National radio com-
mentator, became interested in the Canol and Alcan projects. Mr. Lewis
made an independent investigation of these projects and made a number
of radio broadcasts concerning alleged waste and inefficiency in connnec-
tion therewith. Through Bruce Pine, investigator for the committee,
Mr. Lewis became interested in the Rohl-Wyman combination and in the
preliminary work of the committee in investigating their activities in
connection with the Honolulu installations. As a result, Mr. Lewis
telephoned the chairman of the committee and, being assured of cooper-
ation, came immediately to Los Angeles.
After going thoroughly into the transcripts of testimony, consulting
with Pine and R. E. Combs, counsel and chief investigator for the com-
mittee, Mr. Lewis began a series of daily broadcasts from Los Angeles
in which he unfolded for National consumption the salient facts in the
Rohl case as uncovered by the committee. As a result of these broad-
casts, the Military Affairs Committee of the House of Representatives
dispatched John Weiner, one of its investigators, to Los Angeles. The
chairman of the committee assigned R. E. Combs and Bruce Pine to work
with Mr. Weiner. By the time the joint work of these investigators was
finished it was learned that the aggregate value of installations on which
Rohl and Wyman had been associated for the Army, had reached the
staggering total of more than $250,000,000.
The House Military Affairs Committee made a thorough-going investi-
gation and published its findings and recommendations June 14, 1944.
After testifying before the California Committee February 23, 1943,
Rohl disposed of his interest in the Rohl-Connolly Company to Thomas
E. Connolly.
The Army-Pearl Haroor Board of Inquiry, headed by Lieutenant
General Grunert, met at the Presidio in San Francisco in September
of 1944. The Chief Investigator of the Committee, R. E. Combs, testi-
fied before this board on September 4, 1944.
CONCLUSION
The foregoing is a brief outline of the findings of the committee in
the Rohl case. The fact that an alien, a subject of Hitler's Third Reich,
was awarded such an important contract is nothing short of amazing.
The fact that Rohl, the alien, was merely a large stockholder in the
organization that was to construct the installations, presents little
mitigation. The findings of the committee hereinabove reported clearly
reveal that Rohl, through his intimacy with Wyman, was a moving force
in negotiation of the contracts. There is no doubt in the minds of the
members of the committee as to the alien RohPs accessibility to the plans
and specifications covered by the basic contract of December 20, 1940.
Hans Wilhelm Rohl is still a citizen of the United States. Although
the facts of the case are known to officialdom the Committee is unaware
of any action on the part of the Department of Justice, the Immigration
32 UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
and Naturalization Service, the Court or any other agency of government
to cancel Rohl's citizenship.
The question has been frequently asked whether or not the Japanese
Government had any detailed information of the plans and specifications
of the installations which were built under the contracts of December
20, 1940. If the Japanese Government had such information it would
reasonably follow that its agents had access to the work called for in the
1940 contract. In this connection it should be stated that on March 16,
1941, a known Nazi agent by the name of Von Der Osten arrived in
New York City from Japan. He was killed in a taxi-cab accident.
Among his possessions, special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investi-
gation found plans and specifications of the Pearl Harbor defense instal-
lations at Hickam Field, built under the provisions of the contract of
December 20, 1940. On these plans and specifications was written a
notation to the effect that the information contained therein would be
of interest "to our yellow friends."
PART II
MANKIND UNITED OR "CHRIST'S CHURCH OF THE
GOLDEN RULE"
The results of the committee's 1941-1942 investigations of Mankind
United are set forth in the committee's 1943 Report under that title.
Arthur L. Bell was the creator and guiding genius of the entire organ-
ization. In fact he was the organization. He dwelt in a twilight realm
of mysticism and was known only as "The Voice" to his credulous
followers. A charlatan of unusual magnetism, he is adept in the culti-
vation of credulity. He organized a network of "Bureaus" throughout
the State and channeled a golden stream into his headquarters in San
Francisco. He mixed a brew of ocultism and economics, metaphysics
and science, religion and voodooism, stirred it well in his wizard's
cauldron and found ready buyers for the bottled product. Needless
to say it has been a paying business for Bell.
It is estimated that about 14,000 persons in California had become
interested in Mankind United by the beginning of December, 1941.
The heterogeneous compound brewed by Bell produced activities
and statements that were decidedly unAmerican and subversive. After
several months of investigation by committee representatives, the com-
mittee held a hearing in San Francisco in 1941. The publicity attendant
upon this hearing brought to committee members many people who, hav-
ing become completely disillusioned with "The Voice" and the move-
ment, were willing to tell the committee what they knew of the organ-
ization, its "Bureaus" and managers.
It appears incredible to the committee that approximately 14,000 indi-
viduals living in California under an enlightened educational system
could be so gullible as to believe the fantastic claims disseminated by
"The Voice." Many of the disillusioned were chagrined and embarrassed
when admitting that they had been credulous enough to swallow the
entire fantasy. Many of these erstwhile followers of Mankind United
still believe that some of the alleged miracles might be true; that per-
haps there was, in fact, a race of strange little individuals with large
metallic heads living in the center of the earth controlling floods and
UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA 3-'5
earthquakes. The modern miracles produced by science were once
believed impossible and fantastic. Who could say, with certainty, that
the scientists and research experts of Mankind United had not developed
devices for preventing bombs and ammunition from exploding, for para-
lyzing internal combustion engines so that airplanes would drop from
the sky, and for melting steel by a mysterious ray at a distance
of 30 miles? Who really knew that these things were impossible?
It is difficult to believe that Bell was actually able to convince many
of his followers, particularly his bureau managers, that he possessed the
miraculous power of suddenly and instantaneously transporting him-
self from San Francisco to a distant foreign land. The Committee
Transcript of Testimony clearly indicates that Bell's followers believed
that he did possess such miraculous power. They regarded him with
reverential awe.
Most of the members were either elderly persons, or individuals who
had suffered severe economic reverses. The committee was impressed
with the sincerity of many of the people who belonged to the movement.
The committee was equally impressed with the huge sums of money that
poured into the organization's treasury, which, so far as the committee
ever ascertained, was synonymous with "The Voice."
The committee made its evidence, exhibits and sworn testimony in the
Mankind United investigation available to the Federal Bureau of Investi-
gation. As a result Bell and a number of his bureau managers were
arrested, charged with conspiracy to commit sedition, tried in the United
States District Court in Los Angeles, found guilty and sentenced to serve
terms in the Federal penitentiary. The case is on appeal and, at this
writing, has not yet been decided.
CHRIST'S CHURCH OF THE GOLDEN RULE
The committee believed that the supernatural exploits of Arthur Bell
had been brought to an end. The trials had scarcely been terminated
and appeals perfected, however, before reports of new activities on the
part of Bell were reported to the committee.
A new religious organization was being launched and, through com-
mittee investigators, it was learned that its presiding genius was none
other than "The Voice," Arthur L. Bell. The initial investigation was
undertaken by Senator Hugh M. Burns of Fresno and the Committee's
Counsel and Chief Investigator, R. E. Combs. It was soon learned that
Bell had employed an attorney in the City of Fresno, Harrison M.
Dunham, who had drawn up articles of incorporation for the new organ-
ization which was to be known as Christ's Church of the Golden Rule.
Harrison M. Dunham, when questioned by the committee, stated that he
maintained his offices in the Mattei Building in Fresno and that his
father-in-law, R. G. Carroll, a Los Angeles real estate broker, had intro-
duced him to a man by the name of "Jackson," who, in fact, was
Arthur L. Bell. Dunham prepared a draft of the articles for Bell's
approval and several weeks were consumed in making changes at Bell 's
direction. Dunham prevailed upon three of his acquaintances to act as
incorporators, but admitted that, as far as he could learn, only Bell was
interested in the organization. He presented his bill for legal services
to Christ's Church of the Golden Ride and Bell eventually paid him
in cash.
34 UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
REAL PROPERTY PURCHASES
The committee learned that Bell was traveling up and down the State
purchasing, or contracting for the purchase of, office buildings, hotels,
agricultural property, athletic clubs, laundries, lumber mills, miscel-
laneous businesses and projects. The property was being bought in the
name of Ruby V. Chapman. Several real estate transactions were
handled in Los Angeles through R. G. Carroll, attorney Harrison M.
Dunham 's father-in-law.
The committee held its first hearing on the subject in Los Angeles
March 20, 1944. R. G. Carroll testified that he had met Arthur L. Bell
about the middle of July, 1943, on an occasion when Bell had contacted
him regarding a piece of property which Carroll had advertised for sale.
Bell represented himself to be a " J. J. Jackson. ' ' Carroll testified that
Bell told him he was interested in purchasing several properties in order
to give a great many people economic security. Carroll ventured the
opinion that he believed the cause to be a worthy one. He had no knowl-
edge of Mankind United and did not know "J. J. Jackson ' ' had had any-
thing to do with that organization. After several conferences with
"Jackson" Carroll sold him a 30-room house situated at 3131 South
Figueroa Street in Los Angeles on a 123 by 308 foot lot. "Jackson"
agreed to pay $12,500 in cash for the real estate, $5,000 for the furniture
and to put up a $2,500 deposit. He instructed Carroll that the deed was
to be made to Ruby V. Chapman. Carroll later was introduced to a
woman who represented herself to be Ruby V. Chapman, and was told
that she represented a religious organization.
On or about August 14, 1943, Bell, still posing as "J. J. Jackson,"
negotiated with Carroll for the purchase of the Wavecrest Beach Club in
Santa Monica for $40,000. He agreed to pay $8,000 cash and the balance
at the rate of $356 a month, including 5 per cent interest. The deed,
like the first one, was to be in the name of Ruby V. Chapman. Early in
September of 1943, Carroll entered into negotiations with "Jackson"
for the purchase of certain bank property located at 163 Marine Street
in Ocean Park. The price was $25,000, $5,000 of which was to be paid
in cash and the balance at the rate of $255 per month. The deed to this
property was to be made in the name of Ruby V. Chapman.
On October 8, 1943, Carroll entered into negotiations with "Jackson"
for the purchase of property located at 331-337 South Hill Street in the
City of Los Angeles. This property consisted of a store-building con-
taining six storage rooms and offices on the second floor. The sale price
was $35,000, of which 20 per cent was^to be paid in cash and the balance
at the rate of $350 a month. This property, like the others, was to be
deeded to Ruby V. Chapman. A sale of six beach lots at $45,000 fol-
lowed, "Jackson" agreeing to pay $10,000 in cash and $400 per month,
all, of course, in the name of Ruby V. Chapman. On December 9, 1943,
"Jackson" agreed to buy a vacant lot on Hill Street, just north of Third,
in Los Angeles, for $16,000 cash. On December 12, 1943, Carroll agreed
to sell "Jackson" business and income property situated at 3101 Marine
Street in Ocean Park for $13,500, 20 per cent in cash and the balance at
the rate of $100 per month. On December 20, 1943, "Jackson" agreed
to buy property situated at 258 South Los Angeles Street in the City of
Los Angeles for $15,000, $1,500 of which was to be paid in cash and the
UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA 35
balance at the rate of $350 a month. This property, as in the other
transactions, was to be in the name of Ruby V. Chapman.
Carroll testified that he was not aware that "Ruby V. Chapman" was
Mrs. Arthur L. Bell, and that throughout all of the transactions he
believed he was dealing with a man by the name of "J. J. Jackson."
He stated that he accidentally discovered "Jackson's" true identity
through the newspapers. He said that the mysterious "Mr. Jackson"
had intimated on one occasion that his name might not be "Jack-
son." All of the negotiations had been on a strict business basis and
' ' Jackson ' ' appeared to be a good judge of real estate values. The agree-
ments were fulfilled according to contract and Carroll stated that he
received commissions of about $16,425. Carroll appeared to be under
the impression that Mrs. Ruby V. Chapman was acting in the capacity
of trustee for some church or eleemosynary organization, although the
deeds were to be made to her as an individual, and not as trustee.
It was thus established that Bell, in possession of vast sums of money
secured from some mysterious source, had been traveling up and down
the State of California under the name of "Jackson," buying property
of various kinds in the name of his wife as an individual. It is obvious
that the property, when paid for, would be owned by "Ruby V. Chap-
man" who is Mrs. Ruby Bell, Arthur's wife.
The committee held a hearing at Fresno and subpenaed Harrison M.
Dunham. Arthur L. Bell and his wife, Ruby, were examined at the
San Francisco hearing.
TESTIMONY OF MRS. BELL
Mrs. Bell was a very unwilling witness and in spite of nervousness
was adroit in evading embarrassing questions. She admitted that her
married name was Bell and insisted that she had a right to use her
former name, Ruby V. Chapman. She gave her occupation as housewife
and stated that she was a Christian Science practitioner. She married
Bell in 1934 and has resided, since that time, at the Cathedral Apart-
ments, located at 1201 California Street in the City of San Francisco.
She admitted that she had read the book "Mankind United," several
times and that she had attended several meetings of the organization.
She declared she did not know who wrote the book and had no further
information concerning the organization. Her testimony concerning
the acquisition of properties throughout the State of California was, in
part, as follows (Com. Tr., Vol. XXII, pp. 26-30) :
Q. By Mr. Combs : . . . Did he ever use the name of Lobner ?
A. I don't know.
Q. Brown?
A. The only name I know is Jackson, and he used that in securing
these properties, these church properties ; that 's how I happened to
know it
Q. (Interrupting) Yes.
A. (Continuing) particularly the hotel properties in South-
ern California, the holdings that are now in my name, lie used the
name of Jackson.
Q. Did he buy them for you ?
A. What do you mean, buy them for me ?
Q. Did he get these properties under the name of Jackson ?
36 UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
A. I have no properties. Nobody bought any properties for me.
Q. You have no properties ?
A. I have no properties ; I simply lent my name to hold these prop-
erties, and acted as trustee only until the arrangements were made
and they could be turned over to Christ's Church of the Golden Rule,
who are the actual owners. I 'm not, and nr^ husband is not.
Q. I would prefer to run this in my own way in sequence.
A. I'm sure I would rather tell it like an intelligent woman — I'm
telling the truth.
Q. Unfortunately, we have to develop this thing for the records,
that's
A. (Interrupting) That's right. Only one captain to a ship,
isn 't that true ?
Q. That's right. We'll go into all those matters in detail if you
will bear with me, and then if you want to make a statement for the
record, you may make as much of a statement as you would like.
Did you and Mr. Bell ever own a Lincoln automobile ?
A. Yes.
Q. Do you still own it ?
A. I don't know.
Q. When did you have such a car, to your knowledge ?
A. We had it when the Government agents came in and stole our
things.
Q. That was about 1939 ?
A. That was in the fall of 1939.
Q. Thank you. And do you know in whose name that car was
registered ?
A. No, I don't.
Q. You don't know whether it was registered in the name of
Robert Bell?
A. I don't know. Those are things my husband can tell you. He
knows.
Q. Did you have a Cord automobile ?
A. Yes.
Q. Did you have that in 1939 ?
A. Yes.
Q. And was that registered in the name of Ralph Brown, or do
you know ?
A. I don 't know.
Q. Now, Mrs. Bell, how long have you been a Christian Science
practitioner ?
A. I have been a Christian Science practitioner for many, many
years; since
Q. (Interrupting) Well, prior to your marriage to Mr Bell?
A. (Continuing) — since 1920.
Q. Thank you. And your legal residence, I think you said a while
ago, was 1201 California Street?
A. Yes.
Q. Do you spend considerable time in Southern California?
A. We have spent some time there since this litigation against my
husband.
Q. The sedition trial?
UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA 37
A. Yes, we have to be there, and we also kept our apartment ; we
have to be in both places.
Q. Where do you stay when you are in Southern California?
A. We stay at the Arcady.
Q. Hotel?
A. No, it is an apartment.
Q. Have you ever been to Ontario, California?
A. Yes.
Q. When were you last there ?
A. I think it was sometime last year. That is one of the three
properties I have seen.
Q. One of the three properties you have seen ?
A. Yes, one of the three properties.
Q. What properties ?
A. The properties held in my name prior to the transfer to the
church I just spoke to you about.
Q. When you say one of the three properties, what properties are
you referring to ?
A. I '11 wait until you ask me a question. I 'm sorry. I am used
to dealing with things intelligently; I am not used to being asked
questions this way.
Q. If you don't remember just say so.
A. After all, I'm not under indictment, I'm not under a dark
cloud.
Q. Now, Mrs. Bell, did you ever hear of a hotel called the Strat-
ford at Kampart and 8th Streets in Los Angeles ?
A. Yes, I have heard of it.
Q. Have you ever stayed in the hotel?
A. No, I never have.
Q. Is that one of the properties which was held bv vou ?
A. Yes.
Q. And now, you started to tell me about a piece of property
when —
A. (Interrupting) You asked about Ontario.
Q. Yes. Will you describe in your own way for the record what
piece of property you had reference to ?
A. It was a hotel — what was the name of the place?
Q. Casa Blanca Hotel in Ontario.
A. Yes, that's it. All these holdings that have been purchased
for the church and purchased in my name, I lent my name for that
purpose. May I
Q. (Interrupting) Well
A. (Continuing) — may I say that now?
Q. Go ahead and let's get it in the records.
A. That is one of them, and I went down there one time with my
husband and the real estate man, and we were there several hours
and I saw that property, and I have seen two or three of the
others
Q. (Interrupting) Yes.
A. (Continuing) — and that's all. I have driven by the Strat-
ford Hotel, and I had seen a building on Third and Spring, I think
it is. I haven 't been in the inside, but I have seen it as I passed by
38 UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
because, as I say, all I have done is lent my name for the purpose o:
holding ; I have no proprietary, no personal interest, no interest o:
of any kind in them ; and, therefore, I wasn 't interested in looking
at them or knowing anything about them. I'm sorry if what I'n
saying is at the wrong time, because I really don't want to seen:
out of order.
Q. You are doing very fine, Mrs. Bell. You haven't any objection
if I ask you specifically about each one of those transactions ?
A. Of course I haven't.
Q. And you will endeavor to answer the questions?
A. Of course, I'll try my very best."
It developed that Mrs. Bell apparently knew little or nothing con-
cerning the financial details of the real estate purchases made by her
husband as "J. J. Jackson." Although she was obligated to pay sev-
eral million dollars for various properties, she insisted that she acted
merely as a trustee for Christ's Church of the Golden Rule.
Bell had testified under oath before the committee in San Francisco
in December of 1941 that on one occasion he had lost consciousness in
San Francisco and when he again became conscious he was aboard
an ocean liner en route to the Orient with 16 pieces of luggage.
Mrs. Bell's testimony, on this subject, is interesting (Com. Tr., Vol.
XXII, pp. 49-50) :
Q. By Mr. Combs : . . . Did vour husband go to the Orient
in 1939*?
A. I don 't know.
Q. Where were you in 1939 ?
A. I was in San Francisco the latter part of 1939.
Q. Was he here with you?
A. Yes.
Q. During the entire year ?
A. My husband is away from me so much that I can 't possibly say
the dates.
Q. Would you know ?
A. I wouldn't know, because I wouldn't guess.
Q. Would you know if he was in China or Japan in 1939 ?
A. I wouldn 't know anything about it ; I wouldn 't dare to guess
about my husband
Q. (Interrupting) No.
A. (Continuing) he has suffered too much for his own wife to
start in guessing about things.
Q. I'm just asking of your own knowledge, do you know whether
or not he went to the Orient in 1939 ?
A. No, I do not.
Q. Is it possible he may have gone without your knowledge?
A. I don't know.
Q. You don't know whether he could have gone without your
knowing it ?
A. I don't know.
Q. Do you know whether or not he moved 16 pieces of luggage out
of 1201 California Street in 1939— would you know that?
A. No.
UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA 39
Q. You wouldn 't know whether he had moved 16 pieces of luggage
out or not ?
A. No, I don't.
Q. Where does he keep his luggage in the apartment?
A. I don't know."
Bell testified that he was the only person on the Pacific Coast respon-
sible for Mankind United and the recently created religious organization,
Christ's Church of the Golden Ride. He declared that vast sums of
money were constantly being made available to him by persons who were
interested in both movements. He admitted carrying large sums of
money on his person. He declared that one of the chief objectives of
Mankind United was to establish, as one of its branches, a church struc-
ture. This was now being accomplished with the creation of Christ's
Church of the Golden Rule. The movement of Mankind United was
based, for the greater part, on the book by the same name. He had per-
sonally corrected' the manuscript and the printer's proof. He had sold
the finished product among his followers throughout the State for prices
ranging from $1.50 to $100 per copy. The copyright on the book was in
his name. He had testified in December of 1941 that he had received
the sum of $115,000 for the 1939 edition of "Mankind United." The
book has now gone through many editions. Bell stated that he was the
only person connected with the organization who had the authority to
appoint or remove a bureau manager. He admitted having made all of
the arrangements for the drafting of the articles of incorporation for
Christ's Church of the Golden Rule and that he had personally conducted
the negotiations for the purchase of various pieces of real estate through-
out California. He declared that Mankind United and Christ's Church
of the Golden Rule were religious cooperative movements.
Under the close questioning of Mrs. Bell by Assemblyman Randal F.
Dickey of Alameda, it was clearly demonstrated that she had not acted
as trustee for any religious organization or for any person, but that all
the transactions made by her husband would result in her outright
ownership of the properties under the name of Ruby V. Chapman.
Her testimony, in this regard, in part, is as follows (Com. Tr., Vol.
XXII, pp. 57-59) :
Q. . . . Did you buy each and all of these pieces of property
concerning which I have questioned you for the church ?
A. Yes.
Q. You did?
A. Yes, as trustee.
Q. At whose suggestion ?
A. My husband 's.
Q. In each instance?
A. In each instance.
Q. And who arranged for the purchase of each and every piece
of the property?
A. My husband.
Q. In each and every instance?
A. Yes.
Q. Who decided whether or not you should pay cash for a piece
of property or whether or not you should make a down payment and
pay the rest of the purchase price by the month ?
40 UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
A. My husband took care of all the financial —
Q. (Interrupting) financial details?
A. Yes.
Q. Did you ever make any payment on any of these pieces of
property by check?
A. I don 't know how the payments were made ; I know nothing
about the financial arrangements.
Q. Whose money was used to make the payments on the proper-
ties?
A. I don 't know anything about that ; I have told you the truth.
Q. You don 't know whether your money was used or not ?
A. My money wasn't used:
Q. Was not used ?
A. My name was used ; my name was lent.
Q. Your name only ?
A. My name only.
Q. You didn't invest any of your own private funds in these —
A. (Interrupting) No. I have given lots of money, as I have
told you before, to my husband, and he has assured me it has
been used for Mankind United activities. I have no reason to doubt
him. I know what he tells me is true. But this other was as trus-
tee ; that 's the only part of it I know ; I don 't know any more about
the rest of it than you do.
Q. No, I understand.
A. I haven't a particle of interest in any of them, monetary or
personal in any of them, any interest whatever, any more than you
have."
"THE VOICE" AS A BIBLE STUDENT
Assemblyman Nelson S. Dilworth, now senator from Riverside County,
was interested in the Biblical knowledge, or lack of it, of Bell, as the
founder of a new Christian religious cult. Bell's answers to questions
propounded by Assemblyman Dilworth in this connection elicited
amusement on the part of spectators attending the hearing and estab-
lished Bell's superficial knowledge of the New Testament. Assembly-
man Dilworth 's examination of Bell follows, in part. (Com. Tr., Vol.
XXII, pp. 174-175) :
Q. (By Assemblyman Dilworth) : Mr. Bell, there are many and
varied kinds of organizations that claim to be founded on Christ's
teachings, and I would like to ask you — I think you have stated
that Mankind United is based upon the teachings of Christ, partic-
ularly his economic teachings?
A. That is true.
Q. And also on his spiritual teachings?
A. That is true also.
In reference to Christ 's Church of the Golden Rule, newly organized
by Bell, Assemblyman Dilworth continued his examination :
Q. Who is the spiritual leader of this church ? Would it be your-
self?
A. It depends on what you mean by spiritual leader, sir. We
believe that the ideals which constitute the cornerstone of this church
must act as the leadership, not persons. People are here today,
gone tomorrow ; building up today and somebody tearing them
UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA 41
down tomorrow gives no stability to any leadership. We take as
our leadership the ideals we are founding the church on.
Q. You have a published creed ?
A. If you will read the charter, you will see we have expressed
what we believe to be the major purposes of that church in the
charter.
Q. That is substantially the creed of the church in the charter?
A. You might consider it so ; it would come very close to it.
Q. You take those objectives; you believe, from the Bible?
A. We do, from Christ Jesus' Sermon on the Mountain.
Q. Primarily from the New Testament rather than the Old Tes-
tament ?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. Do you read the Bible, Mr. Bell ?
A. As regularly as I can, working 20 to 22 hours a day. I enjoy
the Bible, as to me it is the greatest source of inspiration I have in
my life, outside of the writings of Mrs. Eddy, which I believe
describe the intent — describe the major intent of Christ Jesus —
between the two I read as much as I can.
Q. Do you give some time to the study of the Bible ?
A. As much time as it is possible, sir. However, I believe it is
not so much a question of hours of study as it is of hours of effort
to bring back the hour of Christ Jesus' ministry. I have devoted
many years of my life to act out by development the purposes of that
ministry.
Q. For instance, Mr. Bell, when did you last read the Bible 1
A. Within the last 48 hours, sir.
Q. I take it from your testimony that your church is also a busi-
ness organization, that it will also engage in business for the benefit
of the members, will it not ?
A. We think that Christ Jesus' teachings were basically economic.
They must be lived, not just preached, and the church will engage
in trying to fulfill the ideal of brotherhood in every way.
# * # # #
Q. When did he set forth the golden rule, near the end of his
ministry ?
A. Yes, sir.
After having secured an admission from Bell that Christ's Church of
the Golden Rule was based directly upon the teachings of Christ as set
forth in the New Testament, Assemblyman Dilworth proceeded to probe
Bell's knowledge on the subject. (Com. Tr., Vol. XXII, pp. 177-180) :
Q. (By Assemblyman Dilworth) : How many books are there
in the Bible ?
A. I think I have been more concerned over the truths than I
have the number of chapters or books
Q. (Interrupting) How many are
A. (Continuing) — in other words, I never had the opportunity
that most children have of attending Sunday School long enough
to learn, and I have never taken time to memorize the books of the
Bible in sequence, or to count the number of books. In fact, the
general theological idea of religious instruction has never appealed
very much to my thought. The truths, the basic truths of those
42 UN-AM ERIC AX ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
teachings have seemed so important it has kept me very busy trying
to find some way to apply them in human relationship instead of
talking about them from pulpits in sermons. I felt there has been
enough talk, and I have never taken the time to memorize any great
part of the Bible or count its books or learn them in their order.
Q. How many authors in the New Testament ? Are you familiar
with Matthew, John and Paul ?
A. Yes.
Q. Now, how many do you recall ?
A. Well, I have read the writings — oh, I should say the basic
beliefs of many of Christ Jesus' disciples, all of the New Testament.
Q. Well, how many?
A. Matthew, John, Luke, Paul.
Q. How many authors are there in the New Testament?
A. Senator, I have had no time to try to learn by memory any
of the general church teachings. I have been only concerned over
the import of the truths expounded bj^ the prophets, by Christ Jesus.
It kept me very busy trying to do something about that in what little
way that I might.
Q. What does the word Bible mean?
A. I do not know.
*****
Q. Did Jesus pay tribute to the Roman government?
A. He at one time took some money out of a fish's mouth and
expressed the thought that he should 'render unto Ceasar the things
that are Ceasar 's. '
Q. On only that one occasion?
A. I do not know how often he did so.
Q. On what accusation was Christ put to death?
A. That he was engaged in uttering — in making seditious
utterances and conspiring to overthrow the government. Very
much the same accusation as is used against us at this time.
Q. How was Christ put to death?
A. He was crucified, sir.
Q. How long was he on the cross?
A. I do not know how long it took, sir.
Q. How long did he remain in the tomb ?
A. Three days.
Q. On what sea did Christ still the tempest?
A. I believe it was — well, I don 't know whether it was the Red
Sea or the Sea of Galilee, sir ; I don 't recall.
Q. Who, if you know, was Christ's sister?
A. I do not recall any.
Q. Well, what relation was Martha to Christ?
A. I do not recall the relationship ; I know that she was very dear
to Him.
Q. Do you recall if Christ had sisters or brothers?
A. I do not recall, sir.
*****
Q. Did Christ teach in the Sanhedrin .'
A. I do not know to what extent he might have conducted his
ministry in the Sanhedrin.
tJN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA 43
Q. Well, from the record that we have of his daily life in the New
Testament, is it your opinion that he observed the commandment
to keep the Sabbath day holy ?
A. I think he observed the commandment to keep every day holy,
and I can not conceive of him considering one day holier than the
other.
MANKIND UNITED ENTERPRISES
Further examination of Bell disclosed that at the time of his mar-
riage to Mrs. Ruby V. Chapman he was out of funds and that all of the
money since accumulated by him had been either furnished by Mrs. Bell
as loans or had been secured from persons affiliated with Mankind United
or his followers.
Committee investigators visited many of the hotels, farms and other
properties purchased by Bell in the name of Ruby V. Chapman and
learned that all such properties were being operated by persons who
were affiliated with Mankind United. A typical example is the Casa
Blanca Hotel, located in the City of Ontario. Bell paid for this property
in cash and immediately put one of his representatives in charge of the
enterprise. The hotel was soon staffed with Mankind United affiliates.
It was learned that the work was to be done by these enthusiasts without
compensation and before being accepted for such "employment" they
had been persuaded to transfer their money and properties to the move-
ment. At the Casa Blanca Hotel in Ontario committee investigators
found a staff of chamber maids, cooks, waitresses, elevator-operators,
janitors, gardeners, bell-boys, dish-washers and miscellaneous "employ-
ees" carrying on the operation of the hotel for their board and room.
The hotel apparently was doing a good business. Other hotel and busi-
ness properties purchased by Bell were being operated on the same basis.
As a result, Bell found himself in difficulties with labor unions.
The material needs of the working members of the alleged ' ' coopera-
tive " or " collective ' ' enterprises are decided by whoever happens to be
in charge of the particular enterprise. Such matters as dental work,
medical attention, recreational needs, transportation for the purpose of
visiting relatives at distant points in the State, are considered, and when
found worthy and necessary, the member applicant is furnished with
money supplied from a common general fund. When the decision is
adverse the moneyless member must go without.
BELL'S ATTITUDE TOWARD THE WAR
Bell's attitude toward the war is strongly indicated in an affidavit
secured by R. E. Combs, as follows :
"State of California
"County of San Bernardino
"Samuel N. Ebb, of 200 E. 4th Street, City of Ontario, in said
County and State, first being duly sworn, deposes and says :
"I met a man introduced to me as Mr. J. J. Jackson. He was
introduced to me by a real estate broker, Mr. Coppage of 3046 or
1036 Wilshire, on July 8th, 1943. Jackson wanted to buy the Casa
Blanca Hotel, which I sold him for $33,000 cash, but title was taken
in the name of Ruby V. Chapman, whom I met twice.
"During the negotiations, Jackson's actions aroused my sus-
picions, and I told him I didn't believe his name was really Jackspn,
44 UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
because he looked like a Frenchman or an Italian. Among other
things, he said he wanted to buy ten or fifteen thousand feet of
screen wire to partition the hotel roof, but he later forgot ever having
said anything about it. He then admitted that his name was Robert
Fontaine, and wanted me to swear that I would never divulge the
fact that his name was really Fontaine and not Jackson. He showed
me a Masonic ring and said he was a Mason.
"He told me that about 90% of the funds donated to the Red
Cross and the USO weren't used for the purposes intended, but were
spent by the officials in charge of these organizations, the promoters.
He said it was just a racket.
"On October 24th, 1943, Walter Nigey was brought to town by
Jackson to run the hotel. A great number of boxes were trucked
into town and stored in the hotel. This Nigey has earned a local
reputation as a drunk. I saw him drunk on one occasion.
' ' I had patriotic posters sent to me by the Office of War Informa-
tion in my hotel, and as soon as Bell acquired the hotel, he tore all
the posters down, including one urging people to buy Avar bonds
and stamps, which was displayed in the lobby.
' ' Nigey told my wife that the war was just a racket being run by
President Roosevelt and Winston Churchill for their own selfish
reasons ; they were just racketeers.
' ' I asked Bell if Ruby Chapman wasn 't his wife, because the week
before they were both out and acted more like husband and wife
than business associates. He asked me why she should be his wife,
and asked me if she might not be his sister. He never admitted she
was his wife and inferred that she was not.
"Bell never even checked the inventory on the hotel, and so far
as I know, he only saw my room and the lobby. I told him I wanted
$35,000 but he said he would have to take the matter up with his
Board of Directors, and we ultimately closed the deal for $33,000
cash. I never saw a check. Bell usually handled the money in $100
bills, ten clipped together in a bunch.
' ' Bell would never give me an address or telephone number so I
couldn't contact him.
"He told me that Christ's Church of the Golden Rule was very
similar to the Christian Science Church, but that there was no con-
nection between the two institutions. His statements were generally
wild, unreasonable, were contradictory and naturally aroused my
suspicions.
"I am absolutely positive that the man who told me his name
was Jackson, then Fontaine, was actually Arthur L. Bell, whose
picture I have just seen in the newspapers.
"He was constantly quoting the Bible, but when I asked him
specific questions, I discovered that he didn't know anything about
it at all. Then he told me he was a political economist, but his con-
versation indicated that he was one of the most conceited, vain and
stubborn men I ever had any contact with, and that he knew virtually
nothing about either the Bible or political economy.
"Bell once told me that his project was really an experiment, and
that if they ever took a licking it would be in connection with lands
UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IX CALIFORNIA 45
in Imperial Valley. I mentioned this subject the following week,
but he didn't even remember our conversation.
(Signed) "SAMUEL EBB,
' ' Subscribed and sworn to before
me this 21st day of March, 1944.
R. E. COMBS, Counsel and Chief Investigator
for the California Joint Fact-Finding Committee
on Un-American Activities, pursuant to Assembly
Concurrent Resolution, No. 59."
A Mr. R. G. Austin of San Fernando requested the assistance of
the committee in locating his wife. She had been interested in Mankind
United since 1939 and had at one time been assigned to making maps of
various critical areas in Southern California. Part of her assignment
was determining the time it took to drive from one designated point on
the map to another. Austin was never able to secure a satisfactory
explanation from his wife concerning her map-making activity. When
Bell and his associates were convicted of conspiracy to commit sedition,
Austin found that his wife was more enthusiastic over the organization
than ever and spent much of her time soliciting funds for the purpose
of defraying legal expenses incurred in connection with the trial. In
December of 1943 a truck was backed up to the Austin residence and
bureau managers of Mankind United loaded Mrs. Austin's personal
property on the truck and drove away. Austin had not seen his wife
since. He believed that she had been persuaded to leave him, that she
had given her worldly possessions to the organization and was being
used in the operation of one of the enterprises recently acquired by Bell.
PART III
JAPANESE PROBLEMS IN CALIFORNIA
Since submitting its report to the Legislature in 1943 the committee
has continued its investigation of Japanese subversive activities as far
as such activities were evident in the various relocation centers in Cali-
fornia. On March 5, 1942, Lieutenant General John L. DeWitt issued
an order for the evacuation of all persons of Japanese descent from the
area of the Western Defense Command. Temporary Reception Centers
were quickly erected under the supervision of Army engineers and,
shortly thereafter, construction was commenced on the two relocation
centers for California, Manzanar and Tulelake. On March 21, 1942,
the first contingent of evacuees, 61 men and 21 women, arrived at Man-
zanar. By midsummer of that year there were nearly 10,000 evacuees
at Manzanar and 14,000 at Tulelake.
CALIFORNIA RELOCATION CENTERS
Manzanar is located near Independence in Inyo County. Tulelake
is located in Modoc County near the Oregon State line. The physical
appearance of the two relocation centers presents much the same aspect.
Each is sprawled over a flat, barren plain, partly surrounded by moun-
tains. The summer winds constantly blow clouds of fine dust across
these plains and during the winter months there is much rain and snow.
46 UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IX CALIFORNIA
The barracks are long, narrow, board and batten structures with black
tar-paper roofs. Wooden partitions divide these barracks into small
compartments, each of which is theoretically occupied by an evacuee fam-
ily. The mess halls are replicas of the barracks without the partitions.
Each center maintains an agricultural project. A program of voca-
tional training and adult education is provided in both camps. The
State law for compulsory education of children of school age is enforced.
Internal security and fire-fighting departments are organized and main-
tained. Each center has cooperative stores where evacuees may pur-
chase a wide variety of general merchandise, none of which carries
ration-point requirements.
Each administrative project and department is headed by a Caucasian
supervisor. Virtually all of the work is done by the evacuees, on a vol-
untary basis. They are compensated for their labors at a monthly rate
which has a maximum of $19. The rate is considered entirely inadequate
by the evacuees and, as a consequence, the work done is accomplished
more by sheer weight of numbers than, by individual endeavor. Labor
strikes occur sporadically and there is a constant stream of labor com-
plaints. Attempts at beautification of the camps have been made by
the evacuees and a lovely landscaped Japanese garden was noted near
a mess hall at Manzanar.
The agricultural project at Manzanar presented many difficulties. The
first crew started work on April 15, 1942, grubbing out the rocks and
sage-brush, and preparing the soil for planting. During the latter part
of May of that year the crops were planted. When the first green shoots
appeared they were promptly nibbled back level to the earth by rabbits,
until the vegetable garden resembled, from a distance, an extensive and
closely-clipped lawn. This annoyance was solved by the use of dogs
that were trained to chase the rabbits away. Several hundred acres are
now under cultivation. The crops raised at Manzanar during the past
season had a market value estimated at $43,000. Surplus crops are
shipped to other centers.
There are about 4,000 acres under cultivation at Tulelake. The sea-
son in Modoc County is comparatively short because of early frost and
snow, but during the spring and summer months the crops are easily
and abundantly produced. The total commercial value of the current
crop is estimated at $1,500,000. The surplus, like the surplus at Manza-
nar, is shipped to other centers. Hogs and chickens are also raised at
Tulelake on an extensive scale.
Each center has a detachment of military police. Until a short time
ago these men were charged with the duty of quelling serious disturb-
ances, keeping the evacuees within the confines of the center, and, gen-
erally, in maintaining order. They are not permitted, however, within
the boundaries of the centers. This force of military police is supple-
mented by the Department of Internal Security, or center police force,
which is headed by a Caucasian with prior police experience, and a staff
of evacuee enforcement officers. The center directors have exclusive
jurisdiction over infractions of center rules and regulations and may
impose reasonable and legal penalties for violations. Violators of State
and Federal laws are turned over to the proper authorities.
National food rationing released a flood of rumors concerning the food
served the Japanese in the relocation centers. It was frequently
UX-AMERICAX ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
charged that the evacuees were receiving food of an exceptionally high
quality and of high ration-point value. Investigation of these charges
by representatives of the committee disclosed that the basic menus of all
relocation centers were prepared by the Quartermaster's Corps of the
United States Army and that each center was allowed a maximum
expenditure of 45 cents per day for each evacuee. The average expendi-
ture for the two centers in California runs around 37 cents per day per
evacuee.
The committee representatives selected mess halls at random in each
center and ate several meals with the evacuees. They found the food
well cooked, nourishing and plentiful. The following sample menus are
typical of the meals served at Manzanar and Tulelake :
MONDAY
Breakfast
Stewed dried fruit,
Farina — hot milk,
French toast, syrup,
Cocoa, milk.
Lunch
Baked macaroni and
cheese,
Steamed rice,
Tsukemono,
Boiled fresh vegetables,
Head lettuce salad,
One orange,
Bread,
Tea.
Dinner
Fresh fried fish,
Stewed corn,
Steamed rice,
Pickled fresh beets,
Butterscotch dessert.
TUESDAY
Breakfast
One-half grapefruit,
Rolled oats — milk,
Hot cakes — syrup,
Cocoa — coffee — milk .
Lunch
Boiled beef, Spanish
Steamed rice,
Tsukemono,
Head lettuce salad,
One fresh apple,
Tea.
Dinner
Beef Sukiyaki,
Steamed rice,
Tsukemono,
Potato salad,
Spice cake,
Tea.
WEDNESDAY
Breakfast
Stewed dried fruit.
Dry cereal — milk,
French toast — syrup,
Coffee — tea — milk.
Lunch
Boston baked beans,
Boiled fresh vegetables.
Steamed rice,
Tsukemono,
Head lettuce salad,
One orange,
Bread,
Tea.
Dinner
Fried fresh fish,
Steamed rice,
Tsukemono,
Cole slaw salad,
Fruit jello,
Tea.
It will be noted that the relocation center diet consists mainly of rice,
vegetables, fish, bread, oleomargarine (no butter), with such occasional
Japanese dishes as Tsukemono (pickled vegetables) and Sukiyaki (a
sort of Japanese chop suey) .
Choice of food is a source of constant evacuee complaint and grievance.
The American-born Japanese are accustomed to American food while
most of the alien Japanese are accustomed to native dishes. It is mani-
festly impossible to please both groups, although, as will be seen from the
sample menus, certain native dishes are prepared and served. The
evacuees are permitted to buy additional food at the cooperative stores,
but, as has been mentioned heretofore, they are not permitted to purchase
anything which requires ration points.
Until about January 1, 1943, the administration of the centers was
very lax. The evacuees were permitted to wander unattended practically
at will, all over the adjacent countryside. This practice was bitterly
resented by residents in the vicinity of the centers and this resentment
toward the administration still exists to some extent. The laxity <>F early
administration manifested itself in what appeared to be a pampering of
the evacuees and an apathy toward their subversive activities. An
example of this lax attitude was seen in the practice of permitting
48 UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
evacuees at Tulelake to use Government ears as free taxis within the
area of the Center, and in the use of Government trucks to take groups
of evacuees on picnics outside the Center. No attempt was made to
separate the obviously subversive and disloyal from the obviously loyal.
After January 1, 1943, the situation changed considerably and the
Centers in California were administered with a firmer hand.
Optional courses in Americanism are offered as part of the adult
educational program but they might as well be discontinued for the3^
are very poorly attended. There are no compulsory Americanism
courses. It was learned that the evacuees are not particularly encour-
aged to speak English. Many who spoke good English when they first
arrived at the centers now speak it poorly, because, since arriving, they
have spoken mostly in their native tongue.
For a time, all out-going and in-coming mail was censored by the mili-
tary police. This practice was discontinued, and in 1943 it was possible
for express packages, letters and parcel-post packages to be sent into
the relocation centers without inspection. Telephone conversations
between the evacuees and persons outside the Centers were not censored
at all. Manzanar appeared to be the lone exception in telephone censor-
ship.
SHINTO-KODO-BUSHIDO
The Japanese terms, Issei, Nisei and Kebei, are defined and explained
in the Committee's 1943 Report at page 322. Briefly re-stated, the Issei
are alien Japanese, virtually all of whom are loyal to Japan and Hirohito.
Fanatical in their belief in the Shinto-Kodo-Bushido dogmas, they keep
pretty much to themselves in the relocation centers. The Nisei are
second-generation, American-born sons and daughters of Japanese alien
parents, and, therefore, citizens of the United States. The greater part
of the Nisei have attended the public schools on the west coast, and the
majority of them attended Japanese language schools. The Kebei are
Nisei (second-generation, American born Japanese) who have been sent
to Japan, allegedly for educational purposes. During their stay in
Japan the Kebei were indoctrinated with the Shinto-Kodo-Bushido virus
and, as a general rule, feel a deep loyalty to everything Japanese. The
ideology of Kodoism, like the doctrine of race-superiority of the German
Nazis, dominates the minds of the present generation of alien Japanese
and the Kebeis. Until Pearl Harbor the Issei, holding the purse strings,
exerted considerable influence over the Nisei and Kebei and kept them
pretty much in "Kodo" ("the way of the Emperor").
Shintoism is Japan's most ancient religious faith. In its primitive
form it exalted the deities of nature and fertility and emphasized the
sacredness of the family. Animistic in character, Shintoism created a
multitude of local gods and taught that they were embedded in the moun-
tains, trees and stones. Worship of the Emperor, the sacredness of the
family, and the exaltation of the military were closely identified with the
ceremonies of Shintoism from its inception. The ancient rice culture
of the people was closely interwoven in ancient Shintoism. Obedience
to authority and devotion to the Emperor are sternly emphasized. The
Shinto creed has been merged with the State since the "restoration" of
the Emperor in 1868, and is now particularly characterized by its aggres-
sive nationalism, its authoritarianism, and its militaristic faith.
UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA 49
It is taught and believed that the Japanese islands were begotten of the
gods, that the Emperor of Japan is a direct descendant of the Goddess
of the Sun. It is believed that the present Japanese race, as the descend-
ants of a single tribe of Yamato, are destined to inhabit these God-begot-
ten islands forever. The rest of the world is to feel the benevolence of
this divine Yamato race. Because the islands were literally begotten
of the gods, the land is ' ' holy, ' ' and will endure forever. A Japanese sol-
dier who dies for the Emperor and his "holy" country, immediately
becomes one with the gods, regardless of how badly he may have lived.
The outside world can only be redeemed through Japanese intervention.
The great Shinto virtues for the Japanese people are blind and undying
loyalty and unquestioning obedience. All people, other than the Japa-
nese, are considered corrupt and inferior.
Shintoism has become the State religion of Japan. Doctor Shunzo
Sakamaki, assistant professor of history at the University of Hawaii,
pointed out that the Japanese Imperial Government had issued an edict
declaring that all Shinto priests in the United States and Hawaii, and
all Japanese language school teachers were, from January of 1941, to
be considered as officials of the Japanese Government. "Basically,"
said Doctor Sakamaki, ' ' the reason is that the Japanese Government has
seen in Shinto a political tool of the greatest potency for keeping the fires
of nationalism burning at white heat and making the doctrine of political
absolutism in Japan virtually inviolable. ' '
General Araki, the leader of the Manchurian conquest, gave life and
emphasis to Japanese Imperialism by popularizing Kodo, "the way of
the Emperor," in the program of "Asia for Asiatics" and the "Greater
East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere". Thus, Kodo, as an extension of Shin-
toism, provides the justification of Japanese world conquest, "The way
of the Emperor", since the first Emperor, Jimmu Tenno, who descended
directly from the Goddess of the Sun, is the plan to carry out the ' ' divine
destiny" of the Japanese people in extending their "culture" to all of
the people of the earth. This "benevolence" is first to be extended to
the colored peoples of Asia by freeing them from the domination of the
white races.
Bushido is the unwritten code of conduct of the Samurai. Bushido
demands loyalty to superiors only, simplicity of living and military valor.
Complete allegiance to superiors is demanded, while deceit and dishonor
is to be honorably practiced against all others. Treachery and brutality
against one 's enemies, and self-sacrifice, blind loyalty and unquestioning
obedience to one 's superiors are the cardinal characteristics of the code
of Bushido.
PROBLEM OF RELOCATION DURING THE WAR
It is generally believed that the Japanese are a stoical and phlegmatic
people. Expert opinion, on the contrary, holds that they are a highly
emotional and temperamental people. It is interesting to note in this
connection that the clinical records of the two relocation centers indicate
that the most common evacuee ailment is peptic ulcers, caused by worry
and fear. The loyal, or potentially loyal, Nisei, read accounts in the
daily newspapers of the action of many and sundry organizations pass-
ing resolutions to the effect that no persons of Japanese descent, citizen
or alien, will ever be tolerated again in California. Leaflets and pam-
50 UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
phlets find their way into the centers and are read by the American-born
Japanese. Many are firmly convinced that they will not be welcome or
wanted in California and, for this reason, have been, and are, refusing
to apply for relocation because of the fear of physical injury to them-
selves and their families no matter where they may go. The recent order
of Dillon Myer for the closing of all relocation centers by December 31,
1945, was received with alarm by most Japanese evacuees. The commit-
tee has learned from authentic sources that delegations of Japanese have
called on the center directors, requesting that some action be taken for
the continuation and maintenance of the centers for the duration of the
war with Japan. Japanese evacuee spokesmen base their request on
several grounds. First, they fear physical injury if they are returned
to their former communities while the war with Japan is in progress.
Secondly, nearly all leases on evacuee property are for "the duration of
the war with Japan, ' ' and, thirdly, the housing problem for some 60,000
to 80,000 Japanese in their former communities is fraught with insur-
mountable difficulty and hardship.
SUBVERSIVE ACTIVITIES
The Japanese very rarely entered into the life of the American com-
munity in which they resided. ' ' Little Tokyos ' ' invariably mushroomed
into existence wherever a substantial Japanese population existed. More
than 240 Japanese language schools were established and maintained in
California alone.
The committee is convinced that it was not merely coincidental that
the Japanese population settled along the West Coast near airfields, oil
refineries, vital war plants and gun emplacements. The desirability of
the land alone does not account for this deployment as, in many cases,
more fertile and desirable farm land was available.
The Yokohama Specie Bank is sponsored by the Japanese Imperial
Government. Before the war huge transfers of money through the Yoko-
hama Specie Bank from the United States to Japan was a frequent occur-
rence. These "deposits" aggregated in excess of twenty millions of
dollars. Testimony and evidence before the committee indicates that
Japanese residents in California contributed many thousands of dollars
to the Japanese war effort before Pearl Harbor.
Togo Tanaka testified quite openly and frankly concerning Nisei activi-
ties. (Com. Tr., Vol. X, pp. 2843-2889). His testimony, in part, is as
follows (Com. Tr., Vol. X, pp. 2856-2858) :
Q. By Mr. Combs: . . . Mr. Tanaka, as a matter of fact,
the Japanese Consulate sponsored the dissemination of a great mass
of material regarding the Japanese attitude — the Sino-Japa-
nese war ?
A. I don't believe so much the consulate but agencies set up by
the consulate on the coast here.
Q. The Nisei were active at that time in aiding in the dissemina-
tion of that material, were they not 1
A. Yes, they were — I should say, we were.
Q. Then, later on there were groups, were there not, Japanese
organizations, for example, agricultural organizations and others
through which funds were collected for the Japanese war effort
generally ?
UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA 51
A. I believe you were the one who gave me the first detailed infor-
mation. While I have a note on Los Angeles I wanted to be able to
more or less confirm it.
Q. Does your information confirm that ?
A. Yes, it does.
Q. And that extended over a period of how long?
A. Well, I would say since the outbreak of the war in China —
that would be in '37.
Q. And it continued how long ?
A. Well, straight through, I believe, the early or the middle of
1940 when it seems the tension between the United States and Japan
grew to the point where people began, I think, to realize rather
dimly possibly war was in the offing — by the way, that was the time,
too, when many of us began to realize some of our activities were
misdirected. By the way, I may also point out while we seem to be
emphasizing the subversive, and I can appreciate the purpose to
investigate un-American activities
Q. That is correct.
A. on the other hand, we ought not to forget and to get a
balanced picture, we ought to inject some of the very good American
activities this publication and the organization has been engaging in.
Q. I am going to ask you in detail about that, Mr. Tanaka.
A. Fine.
Q. So that was true that funds were collected by Japanese organi-
zations for the Japanese war efforts ?
A. Yes, I believe they were.
Q. And those funds were transmitted through the Japanese
diplomatic agencies in this country?
A. I am not, frankly, familiar with the exact means by which
it was transmitted. I understand some was sent directly to Japan
by the organizations and some by individuals but I presume most
of the funds must have been sent through the diplomatic agents.
Q. Was there any reluctance on the part of the Nisei to admit the
existence of subversive activities by any Japanese group in
California?
A. Well, as a group I would say yes ; but individually, of course,
we always have our exceptions but collectively — I am merely repeat-
ing what persons who are not Nisei say from the standpoint of their
own observation that they think the Nisei themselves — on that ques-
tion I may not be qualified to answer as to the reluctance shown by
the Nisei — but judged by some third party, we have a good number
of persons who I think have been close to the situation and they
said we have been too reluctant to admit some of the subversive
activities that probably have been present in which Nisei have
engaged. We have tried to gloss some of the things and point out
the good American things we were doing without trying to correct
or even acknowledge some of the things being done which were sub-
versive and, frankly, I didn't believe some of the things we were
doing would be judged as subversive simply because we couldn't
predict the developments, the turn of events."
The committee offers no particular brief for the Nisei as a class. Evi-
dence before the committee clearly reveals that many of the Nisei were
52 UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
engaged in subversive activities against the Government of the United
States for many months prior to the attack on Pearl Harbor. The com-
mittee is equally aware that an American-born person of Japanese par-
entage is not necessarily subversive per se. The problem is essentially
one of segregation and it presents many subtle difficulties.
When General De Witt 's order for Japanese evacuation was announced
many Nisei, who had established businesses and homes, were compelled
to dispose of their property in a very short period of time, as best they
could. They were to be housed in relocation centers in remote parts of
the country for an indefinite period. Deep emotional reaction to the
disruption of normal life was only natural and to be expected. Some of
the Nisei became embittered and resentful while others remained realistic
and resigned to a situation which they understood as necessary and
unavoidable. The Issei and Kebei were openly defiant and recalcitrant.
Most of them have now adopted an attitude of solemn brooding. The
committee believes that if the War Relocation Authority had segregated
these groups in the beginning much trouble and difficulty might have
been avoided. Late in 1943 the War Relocation Authority, finally recog-
nizing the problem, announced that it would segregate the loyal from
the disloyal Japanese. This was ultimately accomplished by removing
the disloyal Japanese to the Relocation Center at Tulelake. The War
Relocation Authority test of loyalty and disloyalty in the segregation
program is not available and has not been explained.
DEFIANCE AT TULELAKE
Questionnaires were prepared and distributed to the evacuees in all
the relocation centers by the War Relocation Authority in the early
spring of 1943. Question No. 28 inquired whether or not the evacuee
was willing to renounce his allegiance to the Emperor of Japan. An
epidemic of rioting immediately broke out at the Tulelake Center and
continued for nearly six weeks. So few of the evacuees answered Ques-
tion 28 in the affirmative that the War Relocation Authority reworded
that particular inquiry, labeled it No. 28- A, and tried again. The ques-
tion this time did not concern itself with allegiance to the Emperor of
Japan, but merely inquired whether or not the evacuee would be willing
to uphold the laws of the United States. Assemblyman Dickey, in charge
of the Tulelake investigation, reported that he had been informed that
although there were 6,000 to 7,000 evacuees who were American citizens
by accident of birth and whose physical qualifications made them eligible
for service in the armed forces of the United States, only two volunteered.
It is rather significant to note that the Busliido code permits deceit and
treachery as honorable conduct under such circumstances, and that dis-
loyal and subversive Japanese would, therefore, unhesitatingly answer
either or both questions in the affirmative.
The attitude of defiance on the part of the disloyal Japanese at Tule-
lake can only be explained on the basis of some real or imagined advan-
tage for Japanese war strategy. Mr. Silverman, staff writer for the
San Francisco Chronicle, was at the Tulelake Center investigating the
disturbances which attended the signing of the questionnaires, and in
the May 27, 1943, issue of that newspaper he reported, in part, as follows :
"* * * Before the end of the trouble bands of hoodlums roamed
up and down the camp 's streets, breaking into homes and attacking
UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA 53
the occupants. The Japanese * * * who were in cooperation
with the administration were nearly killed, and two Christian Priests
were badly beaten. A Jap flag mysteriously appeared and, as mys-
teriously, disappeared. The army moved in, followed by the F. B. I.
There were mass arrests, and one hundred men were thrown into
near-by jails and deserted C. C. C. Camps. When the prisoners
were carried off they were surrounded by howling Japanese who
yelled, 'Banzai !'
' ' ' You can 't imagine how close we came to machine-gunning the
whole bunch of them, ' one official said. ' The only thing that stopped
us, I guess, were the effects such a shooting would have had on the
Japs holding our boys in Manila and China * * * and the fact
that, in all these Tulelake riots, a lot of Japs got hurt fighting
for us.'
"Leaders of the disturbance, most of whom were believed to be
Kebeis, were identified and sent to an Arizona concentration camp
for incorrigibles. Others were given prison terms for violation of
the State riot law. while still others were paroled or pardoned.
Camp Director Harvey Coverley stated that the arrests put an end
to the disturbances."
THE MANZANAR DISTURBANCE
The central figure of the December, 1942, disturbance at the Reloca-
tion Center at Manzanar was Fred Masaru Tayama. Tayama testified
before the committee in Los Angeles on Japanese activities, March 24,
1942. ( Com. Trans. Volume X, pp. 2961-2965. ) He was born in Hono-
lulu. He attended the A. R. Muir Institute of Technology in Chicago.
He formerly was the chairman of the Southern California District Coun-
cil of the Japanese-American Citizens League. Shortly after Decem-
ber 7, 1941, Tayama called a meeting of certain American-born Japanese
leaders and organized an anti-Axis Committee. An intelligence unit
was created in order to assist governmental investigative authorities in
their work. This prompt and laudible action on the part of Fred Tayama
made many dangerous enemies for him among the disloyal and subversive
Japanese.
Fred Tayama 's demeanor on the witness stand when testifying before
the committee in Los Angeles, was above-board, open and frank.
(Digest of Tayama 's Los Angeles testimony appears on pages 344 to 346
in the committee's 1943 Report.) At that time he proudly exhibited a
document from the Japanese consul given to him at his insistence, prov-
ing his complete expatriation from Japan. He testified that although
he was born in Honolulu, he was considered a citizen of Japan in 1923
and subject to Japanese military duty. He was advised to apply to the
Japanese Consul General for extension or exemption of military service.
He is one of the few American-born Japanese known to the committee
who took the necessary steps for the cancellation of the Japanese side
of his dual citizenship.
The New World supplement for Sunday, December 13, 1942, in the
San Francisco Chronicle printed the following story :
"Last week, nine-month old Manzanar produced its first political
incident. Using descriptive, excitable adjectives and worded care-
fully so as not to over-emphasize isolated trouble, the War Reloca-
54 UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
tion Authority described the occurrence : ' Saturday night six men
entered the residence of Fred Tayama, (President of the Japanese-
American League), and beat him so severely that he was taken to the
hospital. Immediately three evacuees were taken into custody, and
one of them was transferred to the jail at nearby Independence.
The next morning crowds gathered in the Center streets, and
selected a committee which met with Camp Director Kalph P. Mer-
ritt at the main gate and asked for the return of the jailed men.
Merritt agreed that the evacuees would be brought back to Man-
zanar if the committee would agree that there would be no more
meetings or gatherings, that order would be maintained until the
proper hearing could be held, and if the group would deliver to the
authorities the men who had beaten Tayama.
"The crowd dispersed about mid-afternoon, the jailed men
were returned to the center police headquarters. But that night
two large groups assembled — one at the hospital, demanding that
Tayama be turned over to them, and another at the Internal Security
Headquarters . . .
"When Merritt refused to release his prisoners ... he
became alarmed when some members threatened to kill Tayama . . .
The director called the military police to restore order. But the
milling Japanese refused to go home and began to advance on the
prison guard, who, when the tear gas was blown away by a high
wind, threatened to open fire. The crowd kept coming — the M. P 's.
fired, killing one man, critically wounding another and injuring
nine others.
"Both the War Department and the War Relocation Authority
are of the opinion that this disturbance was caused by a relatively
small group of evacuees, and that the great majority of evacuees
at Manzanar and other Relocation Centers are loyal to the United
States, and completely in favor of the orderly process of govern-
ment. ' '
The excitement ended as abruptly as it started. War Relocation Dep-
uty National Director, E. R. Fryer, arrived from Washington and laid
down the law. Segregation of known Axis sympathizers and unruly
elements followed immediately. Center Director Ralph P. Merritt, a
veteran of the first World War, who had just taken over as Camp Director
a few days before the disturbances commenced, announced "Peace and
quiet prevail. ' '
The evacuee-edited Manzanar Free Press in its anniversary issue of
March 20, 1943, comments on the "incident" in the following language :
' ' This basic calm that Manzanar residents had been enjoying was
disrupted unfortunately by the 'riot' of December 6th, which was
aggravated by the newspaper accounts that stressed only the sensa-
tional aspects of the event. The emotional outburst was an inevi-
table outcome of the internal strife caused largely by the concen-
trated nature of the population. The fact that other centers have
had strife and difficulties reflects on the basic difficulty of any group
to maintain a normal life under crowded conditions. Since the date
of the Manzanar trouble coincided with Pearl Harbor, 1941, the
public press had ample opportunity to misinterpret the essential
UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA 55
facts. The sheer coincidence of the date, is, perhaps, the most unfor-
tunate aspect of the whole thing. ' '
The committee is convinced that the disturbance falling on the anni-
versary of the attack on Pearl Harbor was the result of something far
more serious than ' ' sheer coincidence ' '. The crowded condition of the
evacuees in Manzanar on December 6, 7 and 8, 1942, was not the lone
factor responsible for the demonstration of defiance. As for the news-
papers stressing only the sensational aspects of the event, the committee
submits that it would be indeed difficult to imagine anything more sensa-
tional than a three-day demonstration of rioting Japanese evacuees
accompanied by tear gas and military police shooting into the mob in
order to restore order. The committee believes that the disloyal Japs in
Manzanar conspired to take vengeance on Tayama for his pro-American
attitude, and, at the same time, intimidate other potentially loyal Nisei
and the administrative staff at the Center with a demonstration on the
anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.
TULELAKE DISTURBANCES
By October, 1943, the War Relocation Authority had apparently com-
pleted its task of segregating the loyal from the disloyal evacuees. The
disloyal evacuees were sent to Tulelake Center and the allegedly loyal
evacuees at Tulelake were distributed among the other relocation centers
throughout the United States. It is estimated that there were around
16,000 disloyal Japanese at the Tulelake Relocation Center as of Janu-
ary 1, 1945.
Committee members and representatives made five separate trips to
the Tulelake Center. The atmosphere at the Camp was tense, the Japa-
nese were sullen and antagonistic and it was apparent to everyone that
some sort of trouble was in the making.
Japanese spokesmen called upon Camp Director Raymond Best and
announced that the Japanese would no longer pick vegetables for Cau-
casians or for the loyal Japanese. They stated that they were aware
that crop surpluses were distributed to other Relocation Centers, and
that, henceforth, the only vegetables which would be picked by the
evacuees at Tulelake would be for their own consumption. Mr. Best,
in order to comply with the War Relocation Authority's order and to
fill the obligation of the United States Government, sent members of the
Caucasian staff of the Relocation Center into the fields to help with the
crops and purchased additional supplies when needed.
Japanese spokesmen then demanded that they be allowed to use coal
for bonfires while harvesting, and when Relocation officials acceded to
this demand, tons of coal were consumed in this manner while the Nation
faced an acute coal shortage.
The head of the fire department at Tulelake, formerly a battalion chief
of the Los Angeles Fire Department, was next bombarded with a series
of outrageous demands. The first was for a certain type of rubber glove.
These were obtained. A pool table for the members of the fire depart-
ment was next in order and when this demand was refused the members
went on what might be considered a sit-down strike, completely disrupt-
ing the fire-fighting department. They refused to use blankets or pillows
that had been touched by loyal Japanese, and demanded new bed clothes
which were secured. An epidemic of false fire alarms ensued. Nearly
56 UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
every piece of fire-fighting apparatus taken from the fire house broke
down because of some mechanical defect. Fire hydrants were found
to be rammed full of broken glass, bits of cloth and other debris, so
that they failed to function. It was later discovered that $50,000 worth
of automatic fire alarm apparatus had been ripped out of the building
which housed it, and as far as the committee has been able to ascertain,
it has never been found.
On the afternoon of November 1, 1943, a delegation of spokesmen for
the subversive Japanese, called upon Director Best in the administra-
tion building and presented a series of demands which he was utterly
unable to grant. Shortly thereafter all the Caucasians working in the
Relocation Center, about 200 persons, were herded into the administra-
tion building where they were imprisoned for about four hours, while
a mob of howling Japanese, armed with daggers, swords and clubs, milled
around outside the building, shouting obscenities at the Caucasian women
and loudly proclaiming their disloyalty to the United States. Colonel
Verne Austin and his troops had arrived by this time and were posted
just outside the barbed-wire fence. The Japanese had mysteriously
obtained a loud-speaking apparatus and a microphone. They had previ-
ously used a short-wave receiving set, made from parts which were sent
into Tulelake without being inspected by Relocation authorities. While
the conference with Director Best was in progress and the Caucasian staff
was imprisoned inside the building, the milling mob on the outside were
addressed in Japanese over the public address system and informed on
the progress of the conference. When two Caucasians attempted to
leave the building they were beaten and forced inside again.
It later developed that the knives and swords with which the rioters
had armed themselves had been made from steel truck springs, deliber-
ately broken when trucks were driven over rough stretches of road.
When the springs had been replaced by new ones the old springs were
taken to the blacksmith shop operated by Japanese- Americans and made
into swords and knives.
When the conference with the director was concluded, a Shinto priest
stepped to the microphone and said something in Japanese. Immedi-
ately the mob suddenly faced the east, removed their hats, bowed three
times and went back to their barracks.
The following day, November 2d, was quiet and peaceful. On Novem-
ber 3d there were several minor disturbances. At a little after 10 o 'clock
on the evening of November 4th, rioting again broke out.
Boxes had been filled with pieces of mattress and bits of dry grass
soaked with stove oil and placed under most of the wooden buildings in
the center. The caps had been removed from the gasoline tanks on all
of the automobiles and trucks, and the vehicles had been placed at right
angles to the center gates, thus creating an effective blockade to entrances
and exits. Colonel Austin's troops, with light tanks, armored cars, and
fixed bayonets, moved in through the barricaded entrances and within
a matter of minutes the area was cleared of the rioting Japanese. The
leaders of the demonstration were taken into custody and order was
restored.
A few days later spokesmen for the rioting Japanese called upon Colo-
nel Austin. They again declared that they would only hardest crops
for their own consumption. Colonel Austin told them, in substance, to
UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA 57
either pick the crops in accordance with the "War Relocation Authority
policy or continue their strike. The crops were promptly harvested and
there was no more trouble.
A study of the November rioting at Tulelake revealed a number of
important factors not easily discerned by a cursory examination of the
facts. It is apparent, when the facts are analyzed, that if the Japanese
had actually planned to burn down the buildings, kill or injure the Cau-
casian administrative personnel that they had ample opportunity to do
so under cover of darkness. It must be remembered that Colonel Austin
and his troops were just outside the camp and were able to watch every
move of the Japanese. In spite of this fact, of which they were well
aware, they staged the first demonstration at 1 p.m. on November 1st.
They went so far as to install a public-address system so that every word
broadcast was well within earshot of the military authorities. The fol-
lowing day the Japanese were obviously apprehensive that something
would be done to penalize them for imprisoning the administrative staff
for four hours in their own buildings. Colonel Austin and his troops
remained outside the enclosure and life appeared to go on as usual
within the Center. On November 3d they launched another series of
minor disturbances. It is significant to note that the disturbances of
November 1st and November 3d occurred in broad daylight in full view
of Colonel Austin and his troops. The riot of November 4th was
launched at about 10 o'clock in the evening. The Japanese had taken
elaborate precautions to make it perfectly clear to anyone that it was
their intention to burn the wooden buildings in the Center. Boxes of
inflammable material had been prepared and placed under the buildings,
the caps had been removed from gasoline tanks of all civilian-owned
automobiles, as well as from the cars and trucks in the Center's motor
pool, and vehicles had been carefully placed to block the entrances and
exits of the Center. When the actual rioting started, Colonel Austin
and his men moved in promptly. The demonstration abruptly ceased.
Committee investigators are convinced that the Japanese at Tulelake
were quite familiar with the legal phases of the situation in which they
found themselves, and that the demonstrations of November, 1943, were
deliberately designed to provoke these legal questions and at the same
time create propaganda material against the United States for the use of
the Imperial Japanese government. The Japanese performance during
the four-hour period, heretofore described, had all of the aspects of a
well-planned dramatic production. While clubs were waved in the air,
knives and swords brandished, addresses made over a public-address
system, and the entire Caucasian personnel kept imprisoned in the admin-
istration building, no serious damage was done. Although the boxes of
inflammables were carefully placed under the wooden barracks, nobody
lit a match to start the conflagration. It might logically have been
expected that the Army would have immediately moved in and taken
control, thus placing the United States Government in the anomalous
position of making prisoners of war out of its own citizens. The com-
mittee believes that these disturbances at Tulelake were carefully staged
for this purpose.
The members of the committee, as well as many informed persons in
the State and Nation, while recommending segregation of the loyal Jap-
anese from the disloyal, looked upon the War Relocation Authority's
58 UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
decision to establish a center for disloyal Japanese in California as ill-
advised.
One of the committee's investigators reported on this subject August
6, 1943 :
"That this State was teeming with Japanese activities for years
prior to Pearl Harbor is an established fact. That the Army is
convinced that no person of Japanese descent should be permitted
in the State, at least for the duration of the war, is manifest from
the evacuation order itself. It is conceded by everyone familiar with
the facts that there are several thousand fanatically subversive
evacuees both at Manzanar and Tulelake Centers. California has
tremendous industrial facilities turning out the materials of war on
a gigantic scale. The aircraft factories of California have turned
out nearly 40 per cent of all the Nation 's planes. Throughout the
State are shipyards, chemical plants, mills, military and naval instal-
lations, embarkation ports and air bases. It was not so long ago
that anti-aircraft batteries were firing at enemy planes in Southern
California, that an enemy submarine hurled its shells into oil instal-
lations off the coast near Santa Barbara, and that ships were being
sunk almost within sight of the coast off Santa Cruz and Monterey.
If there is any State in the Union that should be entirely free of
subversive Japanese, that State is California. Yet, with eight other
centers in the United States, the Relocation Authority has recently
announced that it intends to gather together all of the subversive
evacuees and place them in Tulelake Center, Modoc County, Cali-
fornia.
' ' According to a statement which appeared in the Pacific Citizen,
issue of July 17, 1943, 6,300 evacuees have asked for repatriation to
Japan and 7,500 others gave negative or qualified answers to the
Relocation Authority's loyalty questionnaire. Thus, there are
certainly at least 13,800 evacuees who would readily be classified as
disloyal. It should appear obvious that of all the places in the
Country where these evacuees could be placed, the War Relocation
Authority has picked the most dangerous."
Despite a flood of protests and resolutions of organizations such as the
American Legion and the Native Sons of the Golden West, civic organiza-
tions and Legislative committees, the "War Relocation Authority pro-
ceeded with its program to make Tulelake a center for subversive Jap-
anese evacuees exclusively. A result of this decision and action was
the three-day riot which occured in November of 1943. The committee
is pleased to note the recent decision of the Government in moving these
subversive evacuees from Tulelake to various Japanese prison camp
centers.
THE RELOCATION CENTER AT POSTON
Committee representatives undertook to investigate reliable reports of
Japanese evacuees coming into California across the Arizona border at
Parker, Arizona, despite the order of General De Witt barring all per-
sons of Japanese descent from most of the California area for the dura-
tion of the war. The only exception to this rule was by permission of
the Army.
UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA 59
The War Relocation Center at Poston is near Parker, Arizona. The
committee learned that parties of evacuees were in the habit of driving
Government trucks and were observed on picnic parties at points from
14 to 22 miles from the center. It was not unusual for parties of evac-
uees, driving Government trucks from Poston, to visit cocktail lounges.
Large slabs of laminated rock covered with century-old Indian hiero-
glyphics, were pried loose with crowbars and hammers in the Arizona
desert and transported to Poston for Japanese fish ponds. Parties of
Japanese evacuees journeyed by Government truck to the town of Parker
on shopping tours. Government trucks from Poston, driven by evac-
uees, came to Parker daily to pick up hundreds of railway-express pack-
ages at the platform of the Santa Fe railway station. The packages
were taken back to the center and distributed to the addressees without
inspection by the center authorities.
Committee investigators met the trains that stop at the Santa Fe sta-
tion at Parker and on several occasions took photographs of Japanese
who were visiting friends in the Relocation Center. Japanese evacuees
boarded the train at Parker and rode into California, either to points
within the State or for destinations out of the State via some California
junction point. The railroad followed a route on the California side
through a large area of desert country where American tank forces were
holding dress rehearsals for battle.
The committee had been informed, prior to this investigation, that
Japanese evacuees had been coming into California by walking across
the sand-bars at a low point in the Colorado River. The citizenry of
Parker, Arizona, and witnesses on the California side of the river
laughed when this report was repeated to them. The committee learned
that the Japanese merely drove across the bridge from the Arizona side
to the California side and made no attempt whatever to conceal their
movements. They were never accompanied by civilian employees of
the Relocation Center or by Caucasian guards.
COMMUNIST POLICY ON THE JAPANESE
American Communists are guided in every detail by the policy of the
Soviet Union. Moscow is the modern mecca of these Marxist dialecti-
cians and Stalin is the prophet. Soviet Russia embodies, in the minds
of all Communists, the first concrete accomplishment of revolutionary
Marxism. Their ever-present objectives, still somewhat remote in the
future, is the destruction of all capitalistic society and institutions and
the creation of world Communism. The ultimate objective is to be
reached only through the application of Marxian dialetic to the "day-
by-day struggle." The masters of "scientific" socialism, in the opinion
of all Communists, are concentrated in Moscow. Hence the blind obe-
dience and unquestioning loyalty to Soviet directives and Soviet policy.
The 1943 Report of the Committee called the Legislature's attention
to the policy of American Communists during the Hitler-Stalin Pact,
which ended abruptly with the invasion of Russia by Germany in June
of 1941. Up to the day of the invasion the American Communists were
attacking President Roosevelt as a "war monger" and terming the Euro-
pean conflict as a "British imperialist war." They organized and
dominated the so-called American Peace Mobilization, called for an
60 UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
embargo on war material to belligerent countries, advocated an isolation-
ist program for the United States and instituted a series of strikes in
defense factories throughout the nation.
The continuous aerial bombing of London and Great Britain had no
effect on the isolationist program of the American Communist. But
when Hitler 's hordes poured into the ' ' holy land " of " Scientific Social-
ism" Communists everywhere were moved to vigorous action. Presi-
dent Roosevelt was a "war-monger" no longer, the American Peace
Mobilization and the isolationist program were forgotten. The epidemic
of Communist-inspired strikes in defense plants and war industries
abruptly ceased and the ' ' British imperialist war ' ' over-night became a
"People's war." They now clamored for the lifting of the embargo so
that war materials could be made available to the Soviet Union. With-
out considering the cost in lives and material, the time or the state of
preparedness, the Communists set up cries for an immediate "Second
front."
It was still nearly six months from December 7, 1941, when American
Communist policy changed for the protection of the Socialist fatherland.
The Japanese sneak attack on Pearl Harbor brought the United States
sharply into line with Communist Party policy, although Russia con-
tinued at peace with Hirohito. Japan and Russia have remained at
peace throughout the intervening months.
The attitude adopted by the American variety of Communist toward
the Japanese in general and the Japanese evacuees in the Relocation
Centers in particular, is partially explained by the fact that Japan and
Russia have remained at peace. The policy or "line" directives, since
early in 1942 projected from the Communist Party viewpoint would
read as follows:
"All Communists are ordered to minimize the Japanese danger.
All large military efforts in the United States must be directed to
Europe. Our immediate task is the defeat of Hitler and the pro-
tection of the Soviet Union. Smear anyone who advocates major
activities against Japan at the present time. Our historic course
with Japan will be determined at the conclusion of the war with
Germany. Meanwhile our traditional role as the champions of
racial equality must be maintained."
This directive is clearly indicated in the columns of the Communist
press, "The People's Daily World." Communist writers have con-
stantly ridiculed the attempt of official legislative committees in their
objective studies of the Japanese problem. Typical articles clearly indi-
cating the current Communist policy on the Japanese question have
appeared with significant frequency in Communist Party publications
since the United States was treacherously attacked by Japan.
The "People's Daily World" for November 11, 1944, reported the
Tulelake Relocation Center disturbances, under the date line of Novem-
ber 3, 1943, as follows :
"Example of Fifth Column Technique
"False Rumors
' ' Tulelake, California, Nov. 3 — Widespread reports of rioting at
the Japanese Relocation Center at Tulelake have been inspired by
UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA 61
German agents and have played directly into the hands of Nazi and
Japanese propagandists.
"So declared the authorities of the War Relocation Authority,
who branded as 'subversive lies', rumors that 5,000 Japanese had
laid siege to the Tulelake Administration building and had to be
dispersed by troops using tear gas.
" W. R. A. officials disclosed that in regard to one false report of
trouble at the Center 'four telephone calls were received by us from
widely scattered areas within five minutes after the incident was
supposed to have occurred. '
" 'There is no doubt that subversive individuals, or groups, are
planting these stories, ' the authorities stated. ' '
It is of passing interest, and certainly a matter of deep significance,
that the "People's Daily World," failed to carry stories of the November
4, 1943, rioting at Tulelake. Magazines and newspapers all over the
United States carried accounts of this demonstration. Committee mem-
bers and attaches have been unable to find a single word in "The
People's Daily World" on this event. The readers of the Communist
publication were apparently to be left in the dark as to the true situa-
tion and were to believe that metropolitan newspaper accounts of the
use of United States troops in quelling the riots were the "subversive
lies" of "Nazi agents."
Current Communist Party policy on the Japanese question is indicated
in an editorial by Communist John Pittman in "The People's Daily
World" for Wednesday, July 21, 1943. "According to our coverage
of the (Governor's) conference," the editorial states, "Governor
Warren 's sole contribution to the solution of the problems of the Nation
and the world, now in the most critical period of history, was a claim
that the release of the Japanese-Americans from the relocation centers
in the west, had created a danger in the country ... it bears the
indelible stamp of an incorrigibly provincial mind, surveying the uni-
verse from the top of an ant hill, and at that, through the wrong end
of a telescope. Its pettiness is exceeded only by its falsities, for in actual
fact the release of loyal Japanese-Americans from Relocation Camps for
integration in industry and the armed services has been a boon rather
than a danger, to the war effort. More to the point, it smells of the
'Pacific first' dung-hill, explicitly minimizing the menace of Hitler, all
too few of whose saboteurs amongst us have been tried. ' '
The Communist Party had made converts among the Japanese popula-
tion in California before Pearl Harbor. Soviet policy in the Far East
and the ultimate objective of world Communism will dictate the "scien-
tific" policy for Communist treatment of the Japanese, both in the United
States and abroad. The committee states unequivocally and without
fear of .contradiction by future events, that the American Communists
will vociferously echo Soviet policy, both as to the Japanese war and
post-war diplomacy. Meanwhile American Communists remain neatly
balanced on Soviet neutrality, awaiting the Stalinistic determinism of
Moscow's dialecticians and "the correct course to be pursued" as
finally established by Kremlin metaphysicians. They will then leap into
the fray on the side of the fence indicated by Marshal Stalin's pip<\
62 UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
AMERICAN PRO-JAPANESE ORGANIZATIONS
The Committee has recognized a number of organizations composed
entirely of American Caucasians manifesting great solicitude and con-
cern for Japanese evacuees and frankly created in their behalf. Many
of these organizations are quasi religious and pacific in character and
concern themselves with conscientious objectors as well as with the
Japanese. They declare that they are primarily concerned with the
civil liberties of the Nisei, taking the attitude that the Federal Govern-
ment is either unable or unwilling to protect them in these guarantees.
Through spokesmen and literature these organizations have been, and are,
diffusing a sticky-sweet atmosphere over the problem. Their spokesmen
blandly state, and they announce by leaflet and pamphlet, that there is
no evidence of the Japanese engaging in subversive activities before
December 7, 1941. The evidence to the contrary is overwhelming. No
less an authority than Saburo Kido, National President of the Japanese-
American Citizens League, declared in the July 17, 1943, issue of the
Pacific Citizen that ' ' Japanese- Americans would be the first to deny that
all of their members are 100 per cent loyal. ' '
Togo Tanaka testified before the committee in Los Angeles early in
1942 (Com. Tr., Vol. X, pp. 2843-2889). His testimony is digested
in the Committee's 1943 Report at page 332 to 336 inclusive. Tanaka
is American born. He attended the Los Feliz Elementary School and
the Thomas Starr King High school, Hollywood High School and the
University of Southern California, where he majored in political science
and from where he was graduated in 1936. Shortly thereafter he became
the editor of the English section Japanese newspaper, "Rafu Shimpo,"
a Los Angeles publication with an extensive circulation throughout the
entire Pacific Coast area. The paper was printed in the Japanese lan-
guage for the greater part and, from time to time, the management
published a Japanese directory. In 1941 the "Rafu Shimpo" issued
a directory containing more than 500 pages setting forth material col-
lected in the United States under the direction of the "Rafu Shimpo"
staff. This material was sent to Japan where it was compi]ed and where
the directory was printed. The names and addresses of thousands of
Japanese, Issei, Nisei and Keoei, are contained in the volume. When
Tanaka testified, the committee learned that several significant pages
had been removed from the directory. The witness admitted that the
publication was about 90 per cent subversive. The witness believed that
most of the Japanese organizations in California were under the domina-
tion of the Issei.
The committee has been interested in charges made by certain pro-
Japanese groups that West Coast opposition to the return of the Japanese
emanates from Caucasian agricultural interests and that the opposition
is founded on selfishness. As far as the committee and its investigators
have been able to ascertain there is little or no factual basis to this charge.
The latest official figures available (1940) indicate that although few
industries are as highly competitive, Japanese competition was not a
dominant factor in the produce and farming industry. In 1940, the
three Western Pacific Coast States, California, Oregon and Washington,
had a Japanese population of 112,353 or about 85 per cent of the National
total. Only 45 per cent of that number were engaged in agriculture. In
1940 the California Bureau of Agricultural Economics estimated that
UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA 63
there were only four crops in the State of which the Japanese produced
in excess of 50 per cent of the total, namely, snap beans, cauliflower,
celery and garlic. The Japanese operated about 6000 farms in the three
West Coast States. This amounted to a little over 2 per cent of the
total number of farms operated. In California, Oregon and Washing-
ton 97 per cent of the farms were operated by nationalities other than
Japanese.
Much of Japanese farming was done by unpaid family workers.
Available statistics indicate that most of these unpaid agricultural
laborers were women and girls. The committee is informed that
although Japanese women were only 1.5 per cent of all employed women
in the Pacific Coast States, they represented 48 per cent of all unpaid
family workers on West Coast farms. More than one out of five Japanese-
engaged in agriculture was an unpaid family worker.
The committee is also aware of the existence of certain organizations
created for propaganda and activity against all Japanese, regardless of
loyalty or disloyalty, or whether American or foreign-born. These
organizations, through their spokesmen and literature, are as vociferous
in their condemnation of all Japanese as the pro-Japanese organizations
are in their behalf. They resort to vilification and appeal to war
prejudices in a tirade of abuse against all persons of Japanese descent,
branding all and sundry as "faithless, untrustworthy, irresponsible,
inhuman, ungodly, soulless and disloyal ! ' '
Somewhere between the hysteria of the vigorous anti-Jap groups and
the naive pacificist-conscientious-objector pro-Jap group is the balance-
bar of equity and justice for the American-born Japanese. About half-
way between the extreme pro and con charges of both groups is the true
story of the Japanese evacuation and the relocation centers in California.
When the full story is told it will be filled with drama, with comedy and
tragedy, with suffering and self-sacrifice, with villainy and heroism, with
deep shadows and bright sunlight — a story bewildering in its complexity
of delicate problems.
THE JAPANESE-AMERICAN CITIZENS' LEAGUE
The Japanese-American Citizens League held its first annual confer-
ence in three years at Salt Lake City early in December of 1944. The
conference had the endorsement of the War Relocation Authority. Dillon
Meyer was scheduled to speak, but did not appear. Official representa-
tives of the Pacific Coast Committee on American Principles and Fair
Play, Friends of the American Way, the Methodist Church and similar
groups attended. The Caucasian delegates proposed a five-point program
which was unanimously adopted. The program is as follows :
1. To restore to Japanese all rights lost as a result of evacuation.
2. To restore all losses sustained as a result of evacuation.
3. Intensify campaign at Tulelake to get Japanese to sign a slip of
paper changing their status on loyalty. (This is called "Giving
the Japanese another chance.")
4. A campaign to influence Congress to amend immigration laws so
that citizenship may be granted to Japanese aliens in the United"
States.
5. Campaign to open immigration to Japanese after the war. (Repeal
of the Oriental Exclusion Act.)
64 UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
This program, of course, contemplates the lifting of all restrictions
on the Japanese. This has practically been accomplished, as far as Amer-
ican-born Japanese are concerned, by the War Department on the revoca-
tion of its order excluding all Japanese from the Western Defense Area,
and the Supreme Court's recent decision on the subject. The program
to restore all losses sustained by the Japanese as a result of evacuation
probably contemplates hundreds of civil suits against the government for
losses incurred by the sale of personal effects, household goods, real
property, and the recovery of wages, salaries and profits due to loss of
earning power for three years. The plan to bring suit against the gov-
ernment for the recovery of wages, salaries and profits is said to have
been discussed by the American Civil Liberties Union.
The Imperial Japanese Government, until Pearl Harbor, never
relaxed its tenacious hold and influence over the lives of all Japanese
in the United States, whether alien or American-born. Supplementing
the psychological control exerted by fanatical ideologies, a direct hold
and domination over all Japanese on the West Coast was established and
maintained by an intricate web of interlocking associations. Some of
these associations were business and industrial, while others were social.
Virtually every Japanese was a member of several associations. They
were generally linked, directly or indirectly, to the Japanese Consulate.
No Japanese, whether American or foreign-born, dared disobey edicts
of his association without jeopardizing his business and social existence.
The committee has heretofore pointed out that the Issei thoroughly
control the thinking and the action of the Japanese population born in
the United States. There have been some claims since the evacuation of
the Japanese that this domination of the Nisei (American-born Japa-
nese) by the Issei (foreign-born) has been broken and that the Ameri-
can-born Japanese are now free of the domination and guidance of
parents born and indoctrinated with Japanism. The facts appear to
contradict this claim.
It was announced that the delegates from the Heart Mountain (Wyo-
ming) Relocation Center to the conference at Salt Lake City was an
all-Issei delegation. There are many thousands of Japanese evacuees at
Heart Mountain with a very large percentage of American-born Japa-
nese. If the Issei domination no longer exists, why was it that a delega-
tion of Issei (foreign-born) should be selected to attend a conference that
purported to plan the future of the Japanese in the United States ?
CONCLUSION
The committee is informed that as a result of its investigation unes-
corted Japanese are no longer permitted to enter this State from Arizona
at will. Letters and packages addressed to alien Japanese or those
evacuees suspected of disloyalty are now opened and inspected before
being delivered to the addressees.
The committee does not contend, and never has contended, that all
Japanese evacuees are disloyal to the United States. As a result of
intensive investigation the committee finds that the great majority of
Issei (foreign-born Japanese) are loyal to Japan. The committee
believes that the Issei, for the greater part, if given the opportunity,
would do everything in their power to further the war aims of Japan.
The committee finds that the Kebei (American-born Japanese who have
UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA DO
spent several years in Japan for purported educational purposes) are
definitely in the "suspect" class as far as loyalty to the United States
is concerned. The committee finds that the Nisei (American-born Jap
anese) were, to a great extent, engaged in pro- Japanese activities before
Pearl Harbor. Many of these American-born Japanese are disloyal to
the United States, while many of them have illustrated by their conduct
since Pearl Harbor their loyalty to the land of their birth. Many of the
Nisei have enlisted in the armed forces of the United States and have
distinguished themselves as United States soldiers on the field of battle.
The committee believes that every American citizen of Japanese descent
who has demonstrated his or her loyalty to the United States during
these trying times should be extended every opportunity of developing
their Americanism and taking their respective places in communities of
their choosing with all the rights guaranteed to all American citizens.
The committee believes that the evaluation of the loyalty of any particu-
lar Japanese, Issei, Nisei or Kebei, should include a consideration of their
conduct and activities both before and after Pearl Harbor. Allowances
for the influence and domination of the Issei over the Nisei prior to Decem-
ber 7, 1941, should be made in such evaluation.
The committee is in possession of authentic reports of outstanding acts
of heroism on the part of American born Japanese in the armed forces
of the United States, both in Europe and in the Pacific war against the
Japanese. These men, and such Japanese as Tokie Slocum, who was
made a citizen of the United States by a special act of Congress for his
service in France with Sergeant York, should be honored as patriotic
American citizens.
The committee believes that the only issue involved, is the issue of
loyalty to the United States. It is not a question of race. It is only a
question of Americanism.
Loyal American born Japanese evacuees look upon their detention in
the Relocation Centers as a necessary sacrifice for the land of their birth.
They, better than any Caucasian, know that there are many among them
who could not and should not be at large during the war. The War
Relocation Authority is in the best position to pass judgment on the
loyalty of this class of evacuee.
The committee is in possession of authentic information that the loyal
Japanese evacuees prefer to wait for the end of the war before attempting
to return to their former communities. In view of the recent Supreme
Court decision and the attitude of United States Army officials, the com-
mittee believes that the Relocation Centers should be maintained for those
evacuees who voluntarily elect to remain in them until the end of the war.
The Japanese people are fanatical in their faith that they are destined
to conquer the world. They traditionally measure time in terms of gen-
erations and centuries, and reverses and defeats in the span of a single
generation are merely incidents in the sweep of time, to be expected and
endured. They are a "holy" race and their land is "holy," literally
begotten of the gods. Their cause is "holy" because it is divinely
inspired. Ultimate victory will be theirs because the gods have divinely
ordained it. Unless Japan is utterly crushed and broken in this war and
her power to make war forever destroyed, defeat will be regarded as a
temporary set-back and the Japanese people will begin again to build
66 UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
methodically for another attempt at the destiny they believe their gods
have planned for them.
PART IV
COMMUNISM
The committee has not been much concerned with the identity of Com-
munists. It 'has been primarily concerned with the question, What is
Communism? From the beginning, the committee has been interested in
learning whether so-called "scientific socialism" is "scientific"
or merely an intellectual hoax used by conspiratorial revolutionists. The
committee has concerned itself with the type of people attracted to revo-
lutionary socialism and has attempted to learn why they are so attracted.
The committee finds that very few "Communists" know anything
about Communism. Only Lenin's "professional revolutionaries" and
disciplined functionaries are thoroughly indoctrinated with the mys-
ticism and metaphysics of Marxian dialectic and the materialistic inter-
pretation of history. They are the oracles and crystal-ball gazers and
they issue the orders. Marx visualized his typical "proletariat" as a
penniless and propertlyless fellow. This definition of the ' ' proletariat, ' '
when applied to the United States, would exclude everyone except the
penniless and propertyless day laborer. The committee believes that the
great working class of California is less Communistic, as a whole, than the
so-called intellectual class.
The committee finds that Marxism is "scientific" only in the occult
or metaphysical sense. Shorn of philosophical Germanics, "scientific
socialism" is merely ambitious mediocrity exalted in complex ponder-
osities. Nearly every Communist functionary appearing before the com-
mittee exhibited definite signs of neurotic inferiority, manifested by
mechanisms of open defiance, animosity or tolerant condescension.
RED-BAITING AND RED-BAITERS
The Committee Report for 1943 commented on "red-baiting" and
"red-baiters" (pages 16-18). The committee, after two years of addi-
tional study and investigation, finds that these terms are still potent
missiles in the Communist arsenal of vilification. In the 1943 Report,
the committee observed :
' ' Our American history is full of occasions of biting and derisive
name-calling, but throughout its crowded pages there have always
appeared men of courage who feared neither the names nor the
caller-of-names. Only a few men during the past several years have
had the courage to stand up under the paralyzing accusation of
being a ' red-baiter \"
As a prelude to this section on Communism the committee is proud to
present a statement by one of America's foremost "Red-Baiters" — one
UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA 67
of those courageous men of history we referred to in 1943 — one who, it
must be admitted, knows what he is talking about. The statement follows :
' ' The Fascists and Nazis were not the only menace to our internal
security. To their forces must be added the American Communists
with their godless, truthless, philosophy of life. They are against
the America our forefathers fought and died for ; they are against
the established freedoms of America. They pose behind a dozen
fronts; they have endeavored to infiltrate practically every strata
of life.
"When they preach unity, let us not forget that when we were
struggling to prepare for defense, they preached pacifism and
fought our efforts to aid our allies and to build our common defenses.
For true Americans there can be no unity with the enemy within
and no compromise with those who would destroy all that we fight
for. There is a distinction between respecting our ally Russia, and
respecting those within our country who would destroy all that we
believe in. No one wishes to detract any from the glorious war his-
tory being written by the Russian people in protecting their soil.
They are a great fighting nation and have done a masterful job
at war.
' ' But when it comes to governmental systems, we prefer our own
American way, and we do not want the Communists in this country
attempting to undermine our democracy or any of our institutions.
I have said it before, and I repeat it now — America cannot exist half
Democratic and half Communist or Fascist. The Fascist-minded
tyrant is no different from the native-born Communistic corruption-
ist. We are proud of our American form of government. If we
want to improve on it, we will do it in our own way, in our time,
and with our own blueprint.
"Over the years, the American Communists have developed a
propaganda machine and a nefarious and elaborate school system
of their own. Their officials in secret and public meetings urge that
the propaganda phase of their work must be accelerated. Brazenly,
they have urged the development of courses, lectures, and assemblies
as media to espouse the ideologies of Marxism and to establish Marx-
ism as a school of thought in the United States. And even in the
chameleon cloak with which they have now enshrouded themselves,
the American Communists still proclaim their loyalty to Marxism,
the antithesis of American democracy. The Communist Trojan
Horse has now become the Trojan Snake in American life."
This statement might well have been made by Martin Dies or the
chairman of this committee. It was made, however, by a man who has
spent a good part of his life investigating subversive elements in the
United States — J. Edgar Hoover, Director of the Federal Bureau of
Investigation — in an address at the Annual Commencement Exercises
of Holy Cross College, Worcester, Mass., June 29, 1944.
bO UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
2
COMMUNIST PHILOSOPHY, SOURCES AND BACKGROUND
The abysmal ignorance of Communist "fellow-travelers" and "inno-
cents" concerning the alleged philosophy or "science" of revolutionary
socialism is appalling. The Communists strongly rely on this ignor-
ance. They realize that the average person will not take the trouble to
examine Communist sources. What is more important, the Communists
know that, should the average person do so, he would become lost in a
maze of metaphysics. Communism must be understood if it is to be
successfully combated. To instinctively dislike its godless materialism
is not enough. Its terminology, its falsity, its errors, its brutality, its
"unscientific science," its deceits and dishonesty must be known and
understood. Once Communism is known for what it actually is, it will
go down to crushing defeat like its offsprings, Fascism and Nazism.
The following compilation on Communist philosophy, sources and
background is included in this report with the hope that the members
of the Legislature will be encouraged to pursue the subject further.
KARL MARX
Karl Marx was a neurotic, suffering from an intense sense of inferior-
ity. He was born at Treves, Germany, May 5, 1818. When he was
about six years old, his father, Hirschel Marx, and his family abandoned
the Jewish faith and became Protestants. Marx was raised a Christian.
He suffered physical pain most of his life. At times he was literally
covered with boils and carbuncles and seldom was free from digestive
disorders, stomach, liver and bowel troubles. He had no profession,
regular occupation or dependable means of livelihood. He pretended
to be a master of the methods and techniques of Capitalism, yet was never
able to earn his own living. Violent, arrogant and quarrelsome, he
posed as the champion of the brotherhood of man, yet remained virtually
friendless all of his life.
Michael Bakunin's appraisal of Marx's character might well fit most
Communist leaders today. Bakunin wrote :
' ' Marx loved his own person much more than he loved his friends
and apostles, and no friendship could hold water against the slightest
wound to his vanity. * * * Marx will never forgive a slight to
his person. You must worship him, make an idol of him, if he is
to tolerate you. He likes to surround himself with pygmies, with
lackeys and flatterers. All the same, there are some remarkable
men among his intimates.
"In general, however, one may say that in the circle of Marx's
intimates there is very little brotherly practice, and a great deal of
machination and diplomacy. There is a sort of tacit struggle, and
a compromise between the self-loves of the various persons con-
cerned; and where vanity is at work, there is no longer place for
brotherly feeling. Everyone is on his guard, is afraid of being
sacrificed, of being annihilated. Marx's circle is a sort of mutual
admiration society. Marx is the chief distributor of honors, but
is also the invariably perfidious and malicious, the never frank and
open, inciter to the persecution of those whom he suspects, or who
UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA 69
have had the misfortune of failing to show all the veneration he
expects.
' ' As soon as he has ordered a persecution, there is no limit to the
baseness and infamy of the method. * * * "
Marx's father was a lawyer and Marx was sent to the University of
Bonn to study law. Here he became deeply interested in the phil-
osophy of the German philosopher Hegel. He abandoned the study of
law and devoted himself to mastering the Hegelian system. He received
the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in 1841 but was denied a position at
the university. He turned to journalism and became the editor of the
Rheinische Zeitung and devoted himself to the study of Socialist litera-
ture.
Friedrich Engels was born in Barmen, Germany, on November 28,
1820. Although Marx had met Engels when he was the editor of the
Rheinische Zeitung their association did not really begin until Septem-
ber of 1844. Engels practically supported Marx and his family from
that time until Marx's death, March 14, 1883.
Marx was expelled from France in 1845 and went to Brussels, from
whence he was subsequently compelled to flee. He found a refuge in
England and lived there until his death.
LIBERALISM
Liberalism emerged in Western Europe in the fifteenth century.
Erasmus and other writers of the Renaissance indicated the liberal atti-
tude in "humanism," a conception of human evolution based upon
individual struggle. As feudalism went down under the impact of the
industrial revolution, economic individualism forged to the front.
Unrestricted freedom of action was advanced as the doctrine that would
best serve the interest of society. It claimed certain inalienable and
"natural" rights beyond political authority. The right of free speech,
religious worship, inquiry, group association, and economic enterprise
were considered the most essential of these inalienable and "natural"
rights. Liberalism is characterized by an attitude of tolerance and
reason.
Adam Smith in his Wealth of Nations expressed the formula embodied
in the economics of liberalism in the basic right of free enterprise. The
terms "liberalism" and "liberals" are much misused by modern left-
wing speakers, writers and Communists. Liberalism may properly be
said to be the doctrine of modern Capitalism.
In the political field liberalism seeks to check governmental encroach-
ment on the freedom of the individual. Out of this principle came our
Constitution and Bill of Rights, the extension of suffrage and the growth
of representative governmeDt. This principle gave birth to the concept
that sovereignty resided in the people as a whole.
DEMOCRACY
The Declaration of Independence may be said to state the essence
of Democracy : ' ' We hold these truths to be self-evident ; that all men
are created equal ; that they are endowed by their Creator with cer-
tain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the
pursuit of happiness; that, to secure these rights, governments are
70 UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent
of the governed ... "
The essence of Democracy is respect for the individual. It seeks
to guarantee to every individual his "unalienable rights." Its limita-
tions of freedom are marked only by the rights of others. Equality
before the law and equality in opportunity are basic democratic prin-
ciples. Checks and balances are fundamental in the government of
a democracy, and a republican form of government is the most con-
ducive to political democracy. The separation of the branches of gov-
ernment, regular elections, secret ballots, the recall, initiative and
referendum and a constitution characterize political democracy.
CAPITALISM
Capitalism is a form of economy. The right to private ownership
of property, freedom to engage in enterprise, freedom of contract,
competition, profit-making, credit and exchange and the wage system
characterize capitalism. The employers, the workers, the consumers,
and the government are four groups continually interested and involved
in the economic process of capitalism. The government may act to
define and regulate the relationship of each group but may not par-
ticipate in competition with private enterprise.
In a Democracy, as has been noted, individual liberty and freedom
is only limited by the rights and privileges of others. Monopoly neces-
sarily is met by governmental regulation for the public welfare. Better
working conditions, reduced hours and increased wages, workmen's
compensation and social insurance are a few of the gains for labor
produced by an enlightened capitalism.
Thomas Jefferson stated that "The natural progress of things is for
liberty to yield and government to gain ground. ' '
The extreme is either State capitalism or State socialism. Under
German Nazism, Italian Fascism and Russian Communism, the gov-
ernment has encroached upon the private ownership of property and
enterprise, and controls the freedom of employer, employee, and con-
sumer.
Governmental intervention in the economic field is at the expense
of personal freedom.
THE UTOPIANS
The Greeks had a word for "nowhere" and that word is "Utopia."
Sir Thomas More selected this Greek word for the name of his South
Pacific Island paradise. His book, "Utopia," appeared in 1516. Plato
wrote his "Republic" about 2,400 years ago and outlined a govern-
ment that embodied the first element of Utopian thinking. Sir Thomas
More's "Utopia" elaborated on the thought. He eliminated the
extremes of wealth and poverty and turned the energies of his society
into cooperation. More believed that man's acquisitiveness was a
source of human misery. Consequently there was no private owner-
ship of land or resources in Utopia. Competitive waste was eliminated
and the work day consisted of but six hours. Medical care and educa-
tion were supplied to the population without cost. Equality of the
sexes and religious tolerance were established in More's Utopia. The
officials were democratically elected and their powers limited.
UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA il
The Commonwealth of Oceana was written by James Harrington in
1656. Harrington's conception of government is characterized by
features now familiar in all Democratic States. The central themes
are a government "of laws and not of men" and the universal distri-
bution of property among the population.
The despotism of the feudal system collapsed before the onslaught
of Capitalism. The industrial revolution brought about a political
revolution which was closely followed by a technical revolution. Indus-
trial inventions commencing in 1764 with the invention of the spinning
jenny increased with accelerating tempo into the Twentieth Century.
Capitalism marched forward accompanied by earth-shaking achieve-
ments. Crime, disease, ignorance, and widespread poverty was the
plight of the working-class of Europe, as Capitalism pounded relent-
lessly forward. The Utopians of the Nineteenth Century spoke and
worked in behalf of the working-class and, while accepting the fact of
Capitalism and its new industrialization, spoke out against competi-
tion and exploitation.
In his Neiv Christianity Saint-Simon called for a society based on the
principle of human brotherhood. He appealed to the mind and con-
science of his day and, impressed with the productive powers of the
new industry proposed that it be socialized for the betterment of
humanity.
Charles Fourier, an experienced business man himself, advocated
sharing surplus profits with employees. He looked upon soldiers,
philosophers, stock brokers and middlemen as "parasitic" and "unpro-
ductive."
Robert Owen was a textile manufacturer in England and an advo-
cate of Utopian socialism. He attempted to put his theories into prac-
tice in his own industry in New Lanark. He fought to reduce the
working day to 12 hours, for universal suffrage and for the establish-
ment of public elementary schools.
Marx ignored the idealism, the justice and humanity of Saint-Simon,
Charles Fourier and Robert Owen. He took Utopian socialism, gave it
metaphysical wings and forged it into a revolutionary fighting force.
Marx's evaluation of the philosophies of Saint-Simon, Fourier and
Owen were summed up by him in Deutsch Fra.nzosische Jahroucher, as
follows: "A radical revolution, the general emancipation of mankind,
is not a Utopian dream for Germany; what is Utopian is the idea of a
partial, an exclusively political revolution, which would leave the pillars
of the house standing. Upon what does a partial, an exclusively political
revolution rest? Upon this, that a part of civil society emancipates
itself, and attains to general dominion; upon this, that a particular
class, from a position peculiar to itself, should undertake to effect the
general emancipation of society. That class can free the whole of
society, but only on the proviso that the whole of society is in the posi-
tion of that class."
MARXISM
Marxism may be stated as a political theory, an economic theory and
a revolutionary theory and program.
As a political theory, Marxism contends that the political state is the
compelling and ruling instrument of the dominant class of which it is
composed.
72 UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
As an economic theory, Marxism expounds the capitalist mode of
production, the exploitation of the workers by employers with the
inevitable breakdown of industry.
As a revolution theory and program, Marxism establishes the tactics
of the " class-struggle " preliminary to the violent overthrow of the
capitalist state and the establishment of Communism.
Stemming from the main elements of Marxism is evolutionary social-
ism and revolutionary socialism (Communism) . The Communists pride
themselves upon following Marxian principles in every detail, although
Leon Trotsky challenged the Soviet Communists in this claim. Lenin
contributed to the doctrines and theories of Marx and Engels by adding
an ' ' imperialist ' ' stage to capitalism. His greatest contribution was an
elaboration of "legal" and "illegal" tactics and revolutionary tech-
nique.
The evolutionary "or gradualistic " socialists have deleted the need
for revolutionary action from their particular brand of Marxism.
They believe, in brief, that, without effort on the part of the proletariat,
capitalism will collapse and Communism must necessarily replace it.
Marx reasoned that class antagonism can only be ended by the aboli-
tion of classes — by the establishment of a society in which there are no
employers, but workers only. Surplus value is to be eliminated. He
called for a rigid and ruthless dictatorship of the proletariat after the
capitalist state has been destroyed. This dictatorship is to last until a
socialist economy is firmly established; until all vestiges of bourgeois
society have been liquidated. When the dictatorship of the proletariat
has served its purpose, Marx contends that the state will ' ' wither away ' '
leaving but a few administrative agencies. Then the completely class-
less society, Communism, will emerge. Industrial development, eco-
nomic development, cultural background, the extent of economic break-
down, plus the extent and acceptance of Marxian principles by the pop-
ulation and the type of revolutionary leadership will, according to Marx,
determine the time and circumstance in each nation for the revolution.
Marxism calls for class loyalty over racial and national loyalty and alle-
giance. Socialism can not come, Marx declared, until it shall encom-
pass the workers of all the world.
RELIGION
Marx contended that people can not be really happy until the illusory
happiness of religion is abolished. ' ' The demand that the people should
shake itself free of illusions as to its own condition," says Marx in
Deutsch Franzosische Jahrbucher, "is the demand that it should aban-
don a condition which means illusion. ' '
"The social principles of Christianity have now had 1800 years for
their development, ' ' Marx wrote, ' ' and do not need any further develop-
ment at the hands of Prussian consistorial councillors. The social prin-
ciples of Christianity find justifications for the slavery of classical days,
extol medieval serfdom, and are ready in case of need to defend the
oppression of the proletariat — somewhat shamefacedly perhaps. The
social principles of Christianity preach the need for a dominant and an
oppressed class, expressing the pious hope that the former will deal
kindly with the latter. The social principles of Christianity declare that
all infamies will be spiritually compensated in heaven, the assertion
UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA 73
being made a justification for the continuance of these infamies on earth.
According to the social principles of Christianity, all the misdeeds
wrought by the oppressors on the oppressed, are either a just punishment
for original sin and other sins, or else are trials which the Lord in his
wisdom sends to afflict the redeemed. The social principles of Christian-
ity preach cowardice, self -contempt, abasement, subjection, humility, in
a word, all the qualities of the mob ; whereas, for the proletariat, which
does not wish to allow itself to be treated as a mob, courage, self-esteem,
pride, and independence, are far more necessary than bread. The social
principles of Christianity are obsequious, but the proletariat is revolu-
tionary. ' '
The following quotations are from Lenin 's Religion :
1 ' Atheism is an integral part of Marxism. Consequently, a class-
conscious Marxist party must carry on propaganda in favor of
atheism. ' '
' ' The winning over of the proletariat is accomplished, principally
by dealing with their every-day economic and political interests;
consequently, the propaganda in favor of atheism must grow out
of, and be carefully related to, the defense of these interests. ' '
' ' The Communist Party of the Soviet Union is guided by the con-
viction that only the conscious and deliberate planning of all the
social and economic activities of the masses will cause religious prej-
udices to die out. The party strives for the complete dissolution
of the ties between the exploiting classes and the organization of
religious propaganda, facilitates the real emancipation of the work-
ing class from religious prejudices and organizes the widest possible
scientific, educational and anti-religious propaganda."
' ' One of the most important tasks of the cultural revolution effect-
ing the wide masses is the task of systematically and unswervingly
combating religion — the opium of the people .... At the
same time, the proletarian state, while granting liberty of worship
and abolishing the privileged position of the formerly dominant
religion, carries on an anti-religious propaganda with all the means
at its command and reconstructs the whole of its educational work
on the basis of scientific materialism."
' ' Marx said ' Religion is the opium of the people ' — and this postu-
late is the cornerstone of the whole philosophy of Marxism with
regard to religion. Marxism always regarded all modern religions
and churches, and every kind of religious organization as instru-
ments of that bourgeois reaction whose aim is to defend exploitation
by stupefying the working class. ' '
' ' The party of the proletariat demands that the state shall declare
religion a private matter, but it does not for a moment regard the
question of the fight against the opium of the people — the fight
against religious superstition, etc. — as a private matter."
"A Marxist must place the success of the strike movement above
all else, must definitely oppose the division of the workers in this
struggle into atheists and Christians, must fight resolutely against
such a division."
"In such circumstances the preaching of atheism is superfluous
and harmful — not from the narrow-minded consideration of not
74 UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
frightening the backward elements, or losing votes at election, etc.,
but from the point of view of the actual progress of the class-strug-
gle, which, in the conditions of modern capitalist society, will con-
vert Christian workers to Social-Democracy and to atheism a hun-
dred times more effectively than any bald atheist sermons. To preach
atheism at such a time, and in such circumstances, would only be
playing into the hands of the church and the priests, who would
desire nothing more than to have the workers participating in the
strike movement divided in accordance with their religious beliefs. ' '
Marx's attempt to escape from ponderous Germanic metaphysics gave
rise to a mystical determinism which is called ' ' Dialectic Materialism. ' '
In his attempt to destroy Christianity, Judaism and dogmatic religious
doctrines^ he created a new religion, Communism, more dogmatic than
any he sought to destroy. He became its central saint and prophet and
is now enshrined with his co-saints, Engels and Lenin. A place is being
reserved for Stalin. Trotsky has become symbolic of the Evil One — the
' ' devil ' ' of Communist theology.
Max Eastman summed it up in his book Marxism: Is it Science, in the
following words: "Marxism was a step from Utopian socialism to a
socialist religion — a scheme for convincing the believer that the universe
itself is producing a better society, and that he has only to fall in properly
with the general movement of this universe. ' '
COMMUNIST ETHICS
Emelian Yaroslavsky, President of the Russian Union of Militant
Atheists, is quoted as stating "Whatever helps the proletarian revolution
is ethical. ' '
In Problems of Leninism, Stalin quotes Lenin as follows :
"The scientific concept, dictatorship (of the proletariat), means
nothing more nor less than power which directly rests on violence,
which is not limited by any laws or restricted by any absolute rule
. . . Dictatorship means — note this once and for all, Messrs.
Cadets — unlimited power, resting on violence and not on law."
Stalin's "ethics" in the diplomatic field is indicated in The Real
Soviet Russia where he is quoted as follows :
"Words must have no relation to actions — otherwise what kind
of diplomacy is it? Words are one thing, actions another. Good
words are a mask for concealment of bad deeds. Sincere diplomacy
is no more possible than dry water or wooden iron."
Lenin in Religion states :
"We say that our morality is wholly subordinated to the interest
of the class-struggle of the proletariat. We deduce our morality
from the facts and needs of the class-struggle of the proletariat
. . . we say that a morality taken from outside of human society
does not exist for us ; it is a fraud. For us morality is subordinated
to the interest of the proletarian class-struggle . . . "
UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA 75
MARXIAN DIALECTIC
"A ship manned by fools," wrote Marx in 1844, "might drive before
the wind for a good long time ; bnt it would drive onward to its fate for the
very reason that the fools did not believe that such a fate was in store
for them. The fate is the impending revolution."
Marx has thus determined the course of history. It is reasonable to
ask for the basis of his prophecy ; to inquire whether or not he is star-
gazing. We are told that his conclusions are "scientific", the result of
Marxian Dialectic !
The word ' ' dialectic ' ' first meant conversation to the Greeks. It became
a parlor game in time and the rules of the game were called "dialectic. "
Heraclitus was one of its advocates. Going back to the method of
dialectical thought, Hegel replaced the principle of the old logic ' ' Every-
thing is identical with itself, nothing contradicts itself," by the new
principle "Nothing is identical with itself and everything contradicts
itself. ' ' This philosophy views everything in a state of flux, movement ;
everything is transient, becoming and disappearing, moving always from
a lower to a higher level. All movement is change, a passing from what
has existed to a new existence.
Hegel, in his Encyclopaedia, states that true dialectic is the inner and
progressive transition of one explanation into another, each of them
containing its own negation. It is peculiarly characterized by doing
away with itself. In his Logic he describes the process as being brought
about by the play of internal opposition. Beginning with abstract and
simple concepts there is a forward movement passing into subsequent
concepts, which continually become richer and enlarged, until the whole
mass of its earlier content resurges so that the absolute idea, the climax
of the process, is an enriched condensation. He has more to say about
it in his Science of Logic. It is a complex, metaphysical formula. If you
do not understand it, do not worry about it. Even the Marxists do not
understand it. It is not scientific and there is no evidence that true science
ever used the dialectic method in its inquiries. The propositions pro-
pounded by the dialectic methods are fantastic and prove nothing.
Marx and Engels merely added the "class-struggle," the "bourgeoisie"
and the ' ' proletariat ' ' and determined the result by wishful -thinking.
The Hegelian dialectical process contemplates a thesis (an affirmative
proposition) , an antithesis (a proposition in opposition) and the sny thesis
(the combining and reconciling of separate elements in the thesis and
the antithesis). Thus, each historical movement (the thesis) gives rise
to the contrary or opposing force (the antithesis) which, as it develops,
overcomes the former. As a result of the struggle a new historical move-
ment or trend (the synthesis) is created. The new historical movement
or tendency is always on a higher plane and remnants of the old trend
or movement are always absorbed in the new. The process is conceived
as an evolutionary movement created by the struggle of opposites, pre-
ceding always forward and upward. Every Communist metaphysician
has deluded himself into believing that he thinks dialectically. He is
under the illusion that his thinking is dual ; that each concept includes its
opposite. There is no such thing as "dialectic thinking."
Marx took over the Hegelian concept of the dialectic process, but
rejected Hegel's "wishful-thinking" conclusion that history was the
evolution of the genius of each state which must necessarily make
7 b UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
Prussia dominant in Europe. Marx substituted his own "wishful-
thinking" and concluded that history consisted only of the "class
struggle ' ' out of which would come the destruction of all existing states,
the dictatorship of the proletariat and world-wide Communism.
' ' (Marx) abandoned the economic man, ' ' says Max Eastman in Marxism:
Is It Science, ' ' because he had an economic god — the self -active dialectic
development of the forces of production — who was far more reliable for
ideological purposes than anything so specific and dubious as a formula
for human nature. The Marxian ideology consists of fitting the abstrac-
tions of the classical political economy, as amended but not transcended
by Marx, into Hegel 's philosophy of the universe as a dialectic evolution
of abstractions — this also amended, but not transcended by Marx— and
thus arriving at a mystical conviction of the 'iron necessity' of the
revolution that he desired. . . . Like all religions, Dialectic Material-
ism rests fundamentally not on investigation and rational calculation,
but on the will to believe. As Gisors says in Andre Malraux's novel:
' Marxism is not a doctrine, it is a will . . . you must be Marxists not
in order to be right, but in order to conquer without betraying your-
selves. ' Trotsky has said a more extreme thing : ' The will to revolu-
tionary activitjr is a condition indispensable (even) to understanding
the Marxian dialectic' "
The Communist believes that intelligent action results only when there
is harmonious cooperation with the historical course of events. He
must look into his crystal-ball — Marx's dialectic materialism — to ascer-
tain the material forces at work. Theory and action are declared to be
inseparable in the Marxian system. The task of the Communist, aided
by dialectic, is to analyze trends in history, ascertain their direction,
and then shape the strategy of revolution accordingly. Thus, until
Soviet Russia is attacked by Nazi Germany, the war is a "British
imperialist war" and President Roosevelt is a "war-monger." Russia
is invaded and the war becomes a "people's war". The Teheran Con-
ference changes the American "party" into a "political association."
Marxian tactics are to be kept flexible at all times and the sole test of
every contemplated move is whether the action, under the circumstances
and at the time in question, creates a proletarian "class-consciousness"
and furthers the revolution. (See heading " Schneiderman on Marx-
ism").
The obvious weakness in the Marxian dialectic process is, that after
establishing the flux and movement of history, the struggle between
the thesis and the antithesis, — the eternal conflict moving always from
a lower to a higher plane, that Marx brings his "immutable law" to a
dead stop with the establishment of the dictatorship of the proletariat.
Max Eastman sums it up brilliantly in his book, Marxism: Is it Science:
"The Hegelian philosophy, which professed to portray an eter-
nally fluid and evolving universe, nevertheless managed to bring
that universe to a stationary goal in the knowledge of this very
Hegel 's philosophy, and the tempered blessings of the limited mon-
archy so generously and so long promised by his gracious sovereign,
Frederich William the Third. And Marx's equally fluid although
material universe, boasting an equally perfect and eternal evolution,
comes to a dead stop when the dictatorship of the proletariat over
the bourgeoisie has been resolved by the formation of ' an association
UN-AMEKICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA it
which excludes classes and their antagonisms. ' Is it a mere coinci-
dence that Marx's economic and inward knowledge of the laws of
history can not extend a little forward toward another contradiction,
or that it does not fall a little short, or lose a trifle of its iron
certainty, before that perfect point is reached? 7s it not quite
obvious that it is not Marx's knowledge, but his purpose, that is
being expressed." (Italics ours.)
MATERIALISTIC INTERPRETATION OF HISTORY
The chief Marxian postulate in the materialistic interpretation of
history is laid down by Marx himself. "Not criticism, but revolution,"
says he, ' ' is the motive force of history. ' '
It is to be noted that the entire Marxian system is permeated with an
indiscriminate interchange of "limiting conditions" and "determining
causes," stamping the entire process as illogical and unscientific. The
following quotation from Marx's German Ideology clearly illustrates
this point. In one breath he asserts that the mode of production " condi-
tions the social, political and spiritual life process," and then declares
"It is not the consciousness of men which determines their existence,
but on the contrary their social existence determines their conscious-
ness. ' ' He sums it up as follows :
' ' Finally we obtain the following results from the fully developed
conception of history. 1. In the development of the forces of
production a stage is reached at which productive forces and means
of intercourse are evolved which, under the extant conditions, only
do harm; which are no longer forces of production, but forces of
destruction (machinery and money). In association with this we
find that a class is evolved which has to bear all the burdens of
society without enjoying its advantages, which is forced out of
society into the most contrast of all other classes ; a class which forms
the majority of all the members of society, and one from which the
consciousness of the necessity for a thoroughgoing revolution, the
communist consciousness, proceeds — a consciousness which, of
course, can only arise in the other classes thanks to the comprehen-
sion of the position of this particular class. 2. The conditions
within which determinate forces of production can be applied, are
the conditions of the dominion of a specific class of society, of a
class whose social power (arising out of ownership) secures
practical-idealist expression in the extant form of State, with the
consequence that every revolutionary struggle is directed against
a class which has up to that time been dominant. 3. In all revolu-
tions that have hitherto taken place, this kind of activity has
remained inviolate, so that there has never been anything more
than a changed distribution of this activity, with a new distribution
of labour to other persons; whereas the communist revolution is
directed against the kind of activity which has hitherto been
exercised, and does away with labour, and makes an end of class
rule when it does away with classes, the reason being that this
revolution is brought about by the class which no longer counts in
society as a class, is not recognized as a class, but is the expression
of the dissolution of all classes, nationalities, etc., within extant
78 UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
society. 4. For the widespread generation of this communist
consciousness, and for the carrying out of the communist revolution,
an extensive change in human beings is needed, which can only
occur in the course of a practical movement, in the course of a revo-
lution; so that the revolution is not only necessary because the
ruling class cannot be overthrown in any other way, but is also
necessary because only in a revolution can the uprising class free
itself from the old yoke and become capable of founding a new
society." For us, communism is not a condition of affairs which
'ought' to be established, not an 'ideal' towards which reality has
to direct itself. When we speak of communism, we mean the actual
movement which makes an end of the present condition of affairs.
The determinants of this movement arise out of the extant pre-
supposition."
Hegel conceived human beings as puppets. Feuerbach cut the strings
that jerked them hither and yon, put sails on their boats but forgot the
rudders. Marx, taking the Feuerbachian materialism of nature, believed
he added the rudders, thus making human beings independent actors
on the stage of history. God is disenthroned and man is no longer subject
to a higher will. He divides human beings into two classes, the bourgeosie
and the proletariat and views all history as a bitter struggle between these
two groups. He charts the destination of the proletarian class in accord-
ance with his own wish-determinism and states that their ultimate aim
is the establishment of a socialist society. The route to be followed,
according to Marx, is marked by violence and revolution. His ' ' material-
istic interpretation of history" is deemed a "new dialectic" and is con-
sidered "scientific" by Communists. It is not scientific. It is wishful-
thinking and metaphysical. To assert that the "contradiction" in
capitalism must inevitably be ' ' resolved " by an expropriation of the capi-
talists, the creation of the dictatorship of the proletariat and the col-
lective ownership of the means of production, without the consideration
of obvious concrete factors, is dogmatic.
Marx asserts that the consciousness of human beings have nothing
to do with the determination of their existence. It is the social existence
of human beings, he declared, that determines their consciousness.
Hegel had offered the pious metaphysical assertion that "Spirit is the
only moving principle in history." Marx paraphrased Hegel by the
impious but equally metaphysical assertion that "The forces of pro-
duction are the only moving principle in history. ' '
The material productive forces of society, contends Marx, eventually
conflict with the existing productive relations. The social revolution
then begins. The existing social structure does not disappear until
material conditions of existence necessary for the new forces of pro-
duction are fully developed and matured.
The entire social structure, we are told, is conditioned by its economic
fate. The laws are written by the ruling class to safeguard existing
property relationships. "In every epoch," Marx says, "the ruling
ideas have been the ideas of the ruling class." He contends that the
State always reflects the will of the dominant economic group, and that
foreign policy is always guided by industrial needs. Morality,
according to Marx, is only the expression of materialistic factors.
UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA 79
Max Eastman, commenting on this phase of Marxism, completely
explodes its alleged ' ' science. ' ' He states :
"There is only one way to escape from these bonds. That is to
take the revolutionary motive back out of history, where Marx
and Engels surreptitiously projected it, and locate it in the human
breast where it belongs. It was Marx, and not history, that was
determined to produce a social revolution (italics ours), and his
investigation of history was an attempt to find out the method by
which it could be done. When that simple truth — as obvious to a
child as it is inaccessible to a Marxist — has once been acknowledged,
the whole discussion loses its mystifying character at once. ' '
It is important to note that, although Marx calls for armed insur-
rection, he nevertheless advocates collaboration with "bourgeois" ele-
ments for the purpose of achieving immediate gains. The "united
front" and the "popular front" and Communist support of reform
measures stem from this principle.
An understanding of Marx's materialistic interpretation of history
and his method of dialectic is essential, if one is to understand the
deceptive "sharp turn" of Communist Party policy. Briefly stated,
as a practical process, it is a continuous analyzation of current events
in order to ascertain and predict the direction of trends. The entire
strategy of Communist Party revolt is then planned in accordance
with the trends and the laws of movement, socially and economically,
of people, nations and events. Flexibility is the key to Marxian tactics.
The Hitler-Stalin Pact, "the British Imperialist War," "the People's
War," the Teheran Conference, etc., are all events and trends analyzed
through the spectacles of Marxian dialectic. The alleged disaffiliation
of the Communist Party of the United States from the Third Communist
International (Comintern) ; the alleged "dissolution" of the Third Com-
munist International itself ; the abandonment of the Communist political
party; the creation of the new "Communist Political Association" ; the
dissolution of the Young Communist League and the formation of Ameri-
can Youth for Democracy, — are all recent illustrations of the result of
Communist materialistic interpretation of history and Marxian dialectic.
THE CLASS STRUGGLE
In Miser e de la Philosophic, Marx stated : ' ' Just as a necessary
condition for the liberation of the third estate, of the bourgeois estate,
was the abolition of all estates and of all orders, to the necessary con-
dition for the liberation of the working class is the abolition of all
classes." The "class struggle," he believed, would result in the aboli-
tion of all classes, the triumph of the proletariat, the ultimate "wither-
ing away" of the state, and the emergence of a new socialistic, classless
society.
The bourgeois revolutions of the Nineteenth Century were looked
upon by Marx as the prelude of the proletarian revolution. These revo-
lutions, Marx believed, must eventually lead to the annihilation of
the bourgeois system of society and he advocated Communist assistance
in these struggles. Bourgeois wars and bourgeois internal conflict accel-
erated the tempo of annihilation. Every bourgeois victory created now
political weapons for the proletariat. Bourgeois wars weakened exist-
80 UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
ing governments, whether the bourgeois were defeated or victorious. The
termination of each conflict placed the proletariat in a stronger politi-
cal position, regardless of its outcome. ' ' The relationship of the Revo-
lutionary Labour Party," Marx said, "to the petty-bourgeois Democ-
racy is as follows: It joins forces with petty-bourgeois Democracy
against the fraction whose overthrow it aims at effecting; but it opposes
both the one and the other in matters it wishes to establish on its own
account." (Italics ours.)
It will be seen from the foregoing that Communists everywhere ally
themselves with those they seek to destroy, for the sole purpose of has-
tening their destruction. Marx expresses this ruthlessly in the follow-
ing language : ' ' From the first moment of victory, those whom we shall
have to regard with suspicion will not be members of the conquered reac-
tionary party, but those who belong to the party with which we have
been allied, those who will try to exploit our joint victory on their own
account alone. ' ' ( Italics ours. )
Marshal Stalin is considered the world's most outstanding Marxist
today.
"A new revolution," Marx wrote, "is only possible as the sequel to
a new crisis. But the one is as certain as the other. ' '
The class struggle, according to the Marxists, is confined to the eco-
nomic field for a time but soon spreads to the political field. New rela-
tionships are believed to develop gradually creating demands for a
transfer of control of government. The dominant ruling class in each
state never abdicates its political dominance to the challenging group.
The "class struggle" is, therefore, intensified. The subservient class,
now emerging from the conflict, is ultimately forced to seize political
power by force and violence. It does so, and erects a new state in con-
formity with changed economy and, thus, creates new property rela-
tionships. "The history of all hitherto existing society," Marx asserts,
" is the history of (such) class struggles. "
THE COMMUNIST MANIFESTO
The following extracts are quotations from the Communist Mani-
festo by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels. The Communist Mani-
festo is considered the proletarian ? ' Bible ' ' and is now, and always will
be so long as a Communist Party fraction exists, the blueprint for the
Communist revolution and the dictatorship of the proletariat. Com-
munist Party theologians praise the Communist Manifesto, holding it
as important and as "contemporary" as though written in 1945 instead
of nearly a hundred years ago.
' ' The history of all human society, past and present, has been the
history of class struggles. ' '
"Modern bourgeois society, rising out of the ruins of feudal
society, did not make an end of class antagonisms. It merely set
up new classes in place of the old; new conditions of oppression;
new embodiments of struggle."
"Our own age, the bourgeois age, is distinguished by this — that
it has simplified class antagonisms. More and more, society is
UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA 81
splitting into two great hostile camps, into two great and directly
contraposed classes : bourgeoisie and proletariat. ' '
*******
"Each step in the development of the bourgeoisie was accom-
panied by a corresponding political advance * * * The mod-
ern State authority is nothing more than a committee for the admin-
istration of the consolidated affairs of the bourgeois class as a
whole."
*******
"The weapons with which the bougeoisie overthrew feudalism
are now being turned against the bourgeoisie itself. ' '
*******
"But the bourgeoisie has not only forged the weapons that will
slay it ; it has also engendered the men who will use these weapons —
the modern workers, the proletarians."
*******
"Those who have hitherto belonged to the lower middle class —
small manufacturers, small traders, minor recipients of unearned
income, handicraftsmen, and peasants — slip down, one and all, into
the proletariat. They suffer this fate, partly because their petty
capital is insufficient for the needs of large-scale industry and
perishes in competition with the superior means of the great capi-
talists ; and partly because their specialized skill is rendered value-
less owing to the invention of new methods of production. Thus
the proletariat is recruited from all classes of the population. ' '
*******
"All classes that have hitherto won to power, have tried to safe-
guard their newly acquired position by subjecting society-at-large
to the conditions by which they themselves gained their possessions.
But the only way in which proletarians can get control of the pro-
ductive forces of society is by making an end of their own previous
method of acquisition, and therewith of all the extant methods of
acquisition. Proletarians have nothing of their own to safeguard ;
it is their business to destroy all pre-existent private proprietary
securities and private proprietary safeguards."
*******
"All earlier movements have been movements of minorities or
movements in the interests of minorities. The proletarian move-
ment is an independent movement of the overwhelming majority
in the interest of that majority. The proletariat, the lowest stratum
of extant society, can not raise itself, can not stand erect upon its
feet, without disrupting the whole superstructure comprising the
strata which makes up that society."
*******
"The Communists everywhere support every revolutionary
movement against extant social and political conditions. ' '
*******
"In all these movements, the Communists bring the property
question to the fore, regarding it as fundamental, no matter what
phase of development it may happen to be in."
* * * * * * *
"Communists scorn to hide their views and aims. They openly
declare that their purposes can only be achieved by the forcible
82 UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
overthrow of the whole extant social order. Let the ruling classes
tremble at the prospect of a Communist revolution. Proletarians
have nothing to lose but their chains. They have a world to -win.
"Proletarians of all lands, unite!"
THE FIRST, SECOND AND THIRD INTERNATIONALS
The First International was organized in 1865 and collapsed after the
Congress held at Geneva, September 8, 1873. The date of its official
demise is said to be 1876. For a time the headquarters of the First Inter-
national were located in Xew York City.
Karl Marx organized and was the moving spirit of the First Inter-
national during its short life. He worked with a subcommittee on a draft
of rules and regulations, and a statement of principles for the organiza-
tion in September and October of 1864. He had no scruples in deceiving
both the subcommittee and the organization itself. Writing on the matter
to Engels he stated : ' ' Under the pretext that all factual matters were con-
tained in this address, and that we need not say the same things thrice
over, I modified the introduction, cut out the declaration of principles,
and finally reduced the four and twenty propositions to ten. ' ' His con-
tempt for bourgeois virtue is contained in this same report to Engels :
"Only one thing," he wrote, "I had to pledge myself to insert in the
preambles of the rules two phrases about 'duty' and 'right'; also, about
truth, morality and justice — but they are all so placed that they cannot
do any harm. ' '
The French Commune was proclaimed on March 18, 1871. It estab-
lished new principles of strategy for European Communists which Marx
introduced into his system. The struggle of the proletariat against the
bourgeois was to be extended to the political field while being accentuated
in the economic and industrial fields. The ' ' class struggle ' ' in bourgeois
Democratic or quasi Democratic states were to be injected into
the platform of bourgeois politics and carried into parliament (legisla-
tures). Electoral campaigns were to be inaugurated by Communists.
Marx now advocated the tactics of a law-abiding policy in conformity
with the methods and trends of the bourgeois state.
This change or extension of tactics was inaugurated in the session of
the General Council of the International Workingmen's Association
(First International) held in London September 17 to 25, 1871. The
preamble to the provisional rules had stated "That the economical
emancipation of the working classes is therefore the great end to which
political movement ought to be subordinate as a means." The London
Conference, under domination of Marx, adopted the following reso-
lution :
"Considering that, against this collective power of the propertied
classes, the working class cannot act as a class except by constituting
itself into a distinct political party, distinct from and opposed to
all old parties formed by the propertied classes; that this constitu-
tion of the working class into a political party is indispensable in
order to ensure the triumph of the social revolution and its ultimate
end, the abolition of classes ; that the combination of forces which
the working class has already effected by its economical struggles
ought at the same time to serve as a lever for its struggles against
UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA 83
the political power of the landlords and capitalists — this conference
recalls to the members of the International that, in the militant
state of the working class, its economical movement and its political
action are indissolubly united." (Italics ours.)
The Second International was created in 1889. This International
represents a conservative, reformist socialist movement of affiliated
bodies organized after 1872. The Socialist Party of the United States
is affiliated with this International.
The Third International (Communist International-Comment) was
created in 1919 in Moscow, Russia. In accord with Marxian dialectic
and the materialistic interpretation of history the Third International
(Comintern) went through the motions of dissolution in May of 1943.
Any student of Marxism recognizes a Leninistic "sharp turn" in the
expedient application of Marxian dialectic to world events and for the
furtherance of Soviet foreign policy.
COMMUNIST REVOLUTION BY FORCE AND VIOLENCE
Marx contends that history proves that no class ever surrendered its
power and property without violent resistance. This is the substance of
the Communist revolutionary doctrine. No class has ever consented to
its own destruction and the proletariat is warned by Marx and his disci-
ples that they must not be deluded by the vain hope that capitalism is
any exception. Concessions are not enough. There is no compromise!
Temporary gains for the proletariat are not sufficient. Reforms are to
be recognized as efforts on the part of Capitalism to entrench and preserve
itself. The dictatorship of the proletariat and the destruction of all
states is the ultimate Communist goal. The fight cannot be won until
the bourgeois state has been completely and ruthlessly crushed. "When
the final test comes, the state will use every force at its command for its
self-preservation — its wealth, the Army and the Navy, its gigantic
organs of propaganda. The proletariat, therefore, must prepare itself
for a violent, bloody revolution ; a revolution that will completely destroy
the bourgeois state.
"LENINISM" OR "BOLSHEVISM"
" Leninism " and "Bolshevism" are terms used to describe the applica-
tion of Marxism to the Russian experience.
Nikolai Lenin was a practical, conspiratorial revolutionist. Marxism
was the "opiate" at hand and he used it liberally. Yet, he undoubtedly
believed himself to be a real Marxist. He praised George V. Plekhanov 's
writings as "the best in the whole international literature of Marxism."
Plekhanov criticizes Lenin's Marxism in the following language: "The
disputed question consists in this : Does there exist an economic necessity
which calls forth in the proletariat a demand for socialism, makes it
instinctively socialistic, and impels it — even if left to its own resources —
on the road to social revolution, notwithstanding the stubborn and con-
tinual effort of the bourgeoisie to subject it to its own ideological influ-
ence? Lenin denies this, in face of the clearly expressed opinions of
all the theorists of scientific socialism. And in that consists his (Lenin)
enormous mistake, his theoretical fall into sin."
84 UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
Socialism divided itself into two groups, the "Bolsheviks" and the
"Mensheviks"— the "majority" and the "minority. " The Mensheviks
believe that Communism is inevitable, whether or not man exerts himself
to bring it about. Lenin's "Bolsheviks" conspired and planned for
the event.
The most distinctive feature of Lenin's tactics (which explains the
recent tortuous twists and turns of the Communist Party "line") was
his policy of ' ' sharp turns. ' ' Changing events call for changed slogans ;
new trends call for new policy. Changing an "imperialist war" to a
' ' people 's war " in 24 hours becomes understandable when Lenin 's policy
of "sharp turns" is understood. Since 1919 the directives for "sharp
turns" have been made in Moscow's Kremlin. Soviet foreign policy
has always been the starting point for each "turn." The fact that
Lenin's policy of "sharp turns" is contradictory to Marx's philosophy
of historic determinism matters little to Communist revolutionary con-
spirators. Lenin described it forcefully as follows :
"The dictatorship of the proletariat is a relentless struggle,
bloody and bloodless, violent and peaceful, military and industrial,
pedagogical and administrative, against the forces and traditions
of the old society. The force of habit of millions and tens of mil-
lions is a formidable force. Without a party of iron, tempered in
struggle, without a party possessing the confidence of all that is
honest in the class in question, without a party able to detect the
moods of the mass and influence it, it is impossible to wage such a
struggle with success. . . .
' ' Not one important political or organizational question is decided
by any state institution in our republic without the governing
instruction of the central committee of the party. ' '
The socialist state established by Lenin in Russia in the October revolu-
tion completely discredited Marxian dialectic. If Marx is right, the
political structure established by Lenin in Russia must be the reflection
of economic conditions existing at the time of the October revolution.
It is obvious that this was not the case. Max Eastman sums it up suc-
cinctly : ' ' Never did a reflection put forth such gigantic efforts to produce
its likeness in the ooject reflected." (Italics ours.)
Instead of the "withering away" of the state, predicted by Marx, the
Russian revolution gave birth to a super-state of commissars and bureau-
crats. The "dictatorship of the proletariat" became state capitalism
under Stalin. Leon Trotsky, who worked shoulder to shoulder with
Lenin in establishing the socialist state of Russia, sums up the result
as follows :
"The realities of Soviet life today can indeed be hardly reconciled
even with the shreds of old theory. Workers are bound to the fac-
tories ; peasants are bound to the collective farms. Passports have
been introduced. The freedom of movement has been completely
restricted. It is a capital crime to come late to work . . . The
frontiers are guarded by an impenetrable wall of border-patrols and
police dogs on a scale heretofore unknown anywhere. To all intents
and purposes, no one can leave and no one may enter. Foreigners
who had previously managed to get into the country are being sys-
UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA 85
tematically exterminated. The gist of the Soviet constitution, the
'most democratic in the world,' amounts to this, that every citizen
is required at an appointed time to cast his ballot for the one and
only candidate hand-picked by Stalin or his agents. The press, the
radio, all the organs of propaganda, agitation and national educa-
tion are completely in the hands of the ruling clique. During the
last five years no less than half a million members, according to
official figures, have been expelled from the party. How many have
been shot, thrown into jails and concentration camps, or exiled to
Siberia, we do not definitely know. But undoubtedly hundreds of
thousands of party members have shared the fate of millions of
nonparty people. It would be extremely difficult to instill in the
minds of these millions, their families, relatives and friends, the
idea that the Stalinist state is withering away. It is strangling
others, but gives no sign of withering. It has instead arrived at a
pitch of wild intensity unprecedented in the history of mankind. ' '
Another important feature of Leninism is the concept of the "pro-
fessional revolutionary. " The official history of the Russian Communist
Party states : "If you inquire, from the standpoint of the personal staff
of leaders, what our party lives by at the present time, and even our
states, it will become clear that to a significant degree even now after
20 years the party, so to speak, nourishes itself upon that group of pro-
fessional revolutionists, the foundations of which were laid at the begin-
ning of the century."
The professional revolutionists in the United States are the Communist
Party functionaries, those amazing individuals who continually pop up
as "executive secretaries" of this or that "front" organization; those
peculiar "labor leaders" who, with no knowledge or experience in the
trade or craft they purport to represent, move from one union to another.
The Jeff Kibres and the Oscar Fusses are in this category.
DEVELOPMENT OF COMMUNISM IN THE UNITED STATES
Communism is essentially international. "Proletarians of all lands,
unite!" is the order of the Communist Manifesto. Marx, Engels, Lenin
and Stalin prepared the blue-prints for the world revolution. Follow-
ing the strategy of these conspirators, Communists everywhere engaged
in deception, and switched their position from time to time with bland
unconcern. Communist ethics are summoned up in the statement :
Dishonesty is justified if such conduct furthers the revolutionary cause
of the proletariat.
As has been pointed out before, the terms "Third Communist Inter-
national" and the "Comintern" are synonymous. The Comintern was
established in Russia in 1919 under the leadership of Lenin, Trotsky and
other Bolsheviks. It is a controlling central organization to which Com-
munist Parties throughout the world affiliate. It is actually a high board
of strategy for universal revolution. The Communist Parties through-
out the world, affiliated with the Comintern, are subordinate and sub-
servient to it, and are pledged to abide by the decisions of the executive
board in Moscow and to abjectly submit to its disciplinary power. In
86 UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
the section of this report on the formation and activity of the C. I. 0.
Political Action Committee, it will be seen that this condition existed
from 1919 to 1940, when the Communist Party of the United States
announced that it had severed all connections with the Comintern. It
was another Leninistic ' ' sharp turn ' ' and no one familiar with Marxian
dialectic was deceived by the announcement.
When the news of the Communist revolution of 1917 in Russia reached
the United States, certain leaders of the American Socialist Party were
filled with admiration, awe and reverence for the Bolshevik strategists.
The more radical wing of the American Socialist Party believed that the
Russian Bolsheviks had demonstrated "scientific" socialism and that
a new impetus had been given to world revolution. The leaders of
Bolshevism became the leaders of world revolution.
Marxism indicates three necessary steps on the road to Communism.
First and foremost of these is the penetration of the laboring masses in
capitalist countries, indoctrination and the creation of "class conscious-
ness" in the minds of the workers. The second step is the seizing of
power by the laboring masses and the establishment of the dictatorship
of the proletariat. This is merely to saj^ that the working masses, trained
and disciplined by Communist leaders, overthrow by force and violence
the capitalist form of government and establish a soviet of workers.
The third and final step is the transition from state socialism to the
classless estate — Communism.
As has been seen by the foregoing, Marxism conceives capital and
labor in continuous conflict. This struggle, says Marx, must continue
so long as the profit system exists. The profit system will continue so
long as the capitalists dominate government. It can only be abolished
by the forceful destruction of all capitalist states. The American
Socialist sought the reformation of the government of the United States
and looked forward to the establishment of a Socialist form of govern-
ment. Efforts in this direction had been limited to educational cam-
paigns designed to popularize the American Socialist Party as a political
organization. The Bolshevik revolution in Russia'drove a wedge sharply
through the middle of the American Socialist group. One faction called
for the organization of a Communist Party in the United States and
clamored for violent revolutionary activity patterned on the strategies
that had been so successfully used in Russia. The other faction, adhering
to evolutionary socialism, preferred to travel along its established con-
servative line as a political movement.
John Reed, a journalist, was in Russia prior to the October revolution.
He returned to the United States an ardent Communist, full of con-
tagious enthusiasm for the Russian experiment. He spoke at meetings
sponsored by the left-wing radical element of the American Socialist
Party. Many leaders of the left-wing group became desirous of emulat-
ing the Bolshevik revolution in the United States and were convinced
that the revolutionary technique of the Bolsheviks could be successfully
employed in overthrowing American capital and the government that
protected it. This meant a clean break with the Second International.
It contemplated a program of penetration into the trade union movement
of the United States for revolutionary indoctrination. Delegates were
finally selected and sent to an International Conference at Moscow.
The organization was perfected in Chicago in 1919, offices of the Party
UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA 8/
were opened, and John Reed, the first American Communist, launched
a propaganda campaign through the columns of "The New York Com-
munist."
Early in 1919 C. A. K. Martens arrived in New York representing the
new Soviet government of Russia. Martens immediately set out to
assist in the organization of the American Communist Party. He pro-
vided substantial financial support with money channeled into the
United States from the Soviet Union.
It soon became apparent that the Russian element in the Socialist
Party in the United States was capitalizing on the prestige established
by their countrymen in Soviet Russia. The Communist Party that
emerged from the conference in Chicago came to feeble life in the midst
of petty bickering and bitter factional disputes among its leaders. The
struggle was watched by Communist agents from Russia 's Kremlin, and
the radical element amply supplied with Russian funds. Leaders of
the nearly defunct International Workers of the World (I.W.W.) were
rallied to the cause and a National conference was called for June 21,
1919 in New York City.
The reverence manifested by the radicals in the American Socialist
Party for the professional revolutionaries of Russia is amazing. Com-
munism had been a religion from the beginning and now it was to have
a deity and a constellation of saints. A halo was placed around the
head of Lenin and he became an infallible oracle. C. A. K. Martens was
quick to realize the potential power dormant in the reverential awe for
things Bolshevik by American radicals, for furthering the policies of
the new Soviet Government. This factor is important, From 1919
henceforth American Communists were dominated, watched, and con-
trolled from the Kremlin in Moscow. This domination and control has
never been relaxed and the American Communist is dominated and
controlled by Moscow at the present time to a greater extent than ever
before, although the technique is more subtle.
Socialists of Russian and Slavic descent were most enthusiastic in
clamoring for the immediate formation of an American Communist
Party, functioning as a section of the Communist Party of Russia. Most
of the Americans in the Socialist organization, however, preferred to
run the show independent of the Soviet Union. One group urged that
the American Communist Party be led by Americans in the same manner
that the Russian Communist Party was led by Russians. Another fac-
tion insisted that the American Communists should simply affiliate with,
and be subservient to, the Russian organization. As a result of these
conflicts, the conservative element in the Socialist Party were shunted
into the discard.
Meanwhile a conflict for control of the American Communist Party
grew in intensity between the two radical factions. Ultimately, dele-
gates from both factions went to Moscow. The outcome was the forma-
tion of an American Communist Party as a section of the Communist
International — a section of the Communist International functioning
in the United States.
The organization was first known as the Communist Labor Party, but
the word "labor" was eventually dropped and the party continued as
the Communist Party, a section of Hi<> Communist International,
88 UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
The organization has had a stormy history in the United States.
Factional strife constantly developed and party bickerings were fre-
quent. Soviet agents, watching quietly in the background, came forth
at the proper time, and, with the voice of authority, summarily put a
stop to internal dissension.
COMMUNIST BEGINNINGS IN THE UNITED STATES
William Z. Foster, a charter member of the Communist Party of the
United States, was charged with the task of directing the penetration
and indoctrination of the trade union movement in the United States.
The Trade Union Educational League was the organization created by
Foster for this purpose. The funds for the activities of this front were
furnished in part by the Communist Party members in the United States,
and from Moscow's "Red International of Trade Unions," (Profintern).
As a matter of fact most of the money was furnished by the Russian
organization. The International Labor Defense was organized as a section
of the International Class-War Prisoners Aid Society (MOTR) . A rep-
resentative from the Soviet Union was sent to America with the necessary
funds for the organization of the International Laoor Defense. These
organizations were the first in a series of Soviet Branch offices estab-
lished in the United States by Russian emissaries with Russian funds.
The International Labor Defense provides legal assistance to members
of the Communist movement who find themselves involved with the law.
The Trade Union Educational League (propagandizing for industrial
unionization) served its initial purpose. The same strategy of trade
union penetration by Communist Party functionaries has continued
and has achieved considerable success. The most recent triumph of this
Communist technique is the Political Action Committee of the C. I. 0.
The members of the American Communist Party were sent to Moscow
where they attended a school maintained for the purpose of instructing
international revolutionists in the Bolshevik technique.
By 1923 the members of the American Communist Party considered
themselves under the iron discipline that was frequently exercised by
the1 Executive Committee of the Comintern. The Moscow Board of
Directors had the power and the right to expel an entire Communist
Party, or any section thereof, or individual Communists, with or without
cause. It assumed the right to contermand any activity, decision or
resolution, of any Communist Party affiliated with the Third Communist
International. It was regarded by Communists everywhere as the
source of all authority. Lenin, while he lived, and Stalin, after Lenin's
death, was the infallible last word in Communist affairs. Russia became
the "Red Fatherland," the only country to which Communists every-
where owed their allegiance.
The youth movements of Soviet Russia were duplicated in the United
States by the American Communist Parly. The youth movement in
Russia is called the Comsomols. Soviet children of primary school age
are organized into a group known as the Young Octobrists. The Young
Communist League in the United States parallels the Comsomols and the
Young Pioneers of the United States are patterned after the Young
Octobrists. These youth organizations are Communist training schools
for the vouth of America.
UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA 89
IRON CONTROL
Many individuals are attracted to Communism by the conspiratorial
character of the movement. The Communist Party of Russia, before
the revolution of 1917, was a creature of mystery, of intrigue and plot-
ting. The Russian organization was held together during those turbu-
lent times by dictatorial directives. The two absolute rulers were Lenin
and Trotsky. The members of the party were trained to accept discipline
blindly and to follow every directive without hesitation. The same iron
control was experienced by the first Communists in the United States.
This control has become stronger as the party has grown. A Com-
munist believes that he is a member of a secret, conspiratorial organiza-
tion and that he is playing a vital role in weakening and undermining
the Government of the United States. The American Communist is
convinced that the American revolution can only be achieved by blindly
and fanatically pursuing the intricate technique of Marx, Lenin and
Stalin. The American Communist's mind is literally saturated with
foreign ideologies, German ponderosities and Oriental intrigue. He
must attend beginners classes, studjr Marxism, dialectic and materialistic
interpretation of history; he must spend many hours in Communist
activities ; he must attend fraction, branch and unit meetings. He must
join a union of some kind. He participates in open forums. He is
assigned to tasks designed for revolutionary training, such as peddling
Communist Party publications in wealthy residential districts; and in
driving Communist Party resolutions through meetings of his trade
union. He is directed to join many organizations and is instructed in
the technique of dominating and controlling their actions. His entire
mental outlook upon life and events is altered and changed. Conserva-
tive friends and acquaintances soon avoid the Communist convert and he
finds himself associating exclusively with Communists and fellow-trav-
elers. A break with the Communist Party is not a small matter and
entails an emotional upheaval that is not pleasant to contemplate.
COMMUNIST DISCIPLINE
The Communist Party proceeded along its troublesome path, gather-
ing more and more members. Disciplinary control was intensified. The
Communist parties throughout the world maintain what they call control
commissions. A Communist who waivers in his activities or thought is
immediately under the scrutiny of the control commission. Every Com-
munist is under the continuous observation of his "Comrades" and the
most trivial anti-Communist action or word is reported. Communist
Party members fear the control commission more than they fear the
police. The most potent threat that can be made against a member who
violates party discipline is the threat of expulsion from the organization.
Disillusioned Communists who muster sufficient courage to bluntly with-
draw from the organization are hounded from one job to another and
harassed in every possible manner. Prospective employers are told
that they are hiring ex-Communists, persons who are emotionally
unstable, unreliable, and can not be believed under oath. Anonymous
letters are dispatched to employers and every sort of artifice is practiced
to embarrass and harass the ex-member. By whispering "smear" cam-
(J0 UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
paigns the Communist Party charges that the ex-Party member is suf-
fering from some sort of mental disability. An ex-Communist who criti-
cizes the party or who reveals its secrets is immediately branded as
a psychopathic case, a pervert, a chronic liar, a criminal, a stool-pigeon,
a red-baiter, a witch-hunter — a miserable wretch suffering from prac-
tically every ailment known to humanity, including vitamin deficiency.
It is remarkable that a person, by merely severing his affiliation with the
Communist Party, is immediately afflicted with the same variety of
ailments and vices.
DEMOCRATIC CENTRALISM
Theoretically, the Communist organization enjoys what it terms
"Democratic Centralism." The doctrine is rather intricate and, while
the term indicates Democracy in procedure, its "Centralism" is its
contradiction. Hand-picked delegates from the lowest stratum of Com-
munist organizations compose the membership of the next stratum.
Hand-picked delegates from this group compose the membership of the
next highest, and so on to Stalin. The group at the top is the governing
body of the whole and all decisions are made at this central point, the
apex of the pyramid. The orders and directives pass downward through
each stratum of the party. Although completely totalitarian in char-
acter it is considered ' ' democratic ' ' because the delegates to each higher
group are theoretically selected by the membership of their respective
units. It is authoritarian and autocratic in operation.
SUPPORT OF SOVIET FOREIGN POLICY
The interests of the Soviet Union, during the Hitler-Stalin Non- Aggres-
sion Pact, were served by their representatives and affiliates in the
United States by the launching of a campaign to keep America out of
the "imperialist war." The Communist Party called for an embargo
on fhe shipment of materials of war to belligerent countries. They
opposed conscription and fought military training. They called Presi-
dent Roosevelt a "war-monger," created and directed the American
Peace Mobilization, joined with isolationists and German Bundsters.
They held frequent peace demonstrations and shouted that ' ' The Yanks
are not coming ! ' ' Simultaneously an epidemic of strikes was launched
by Communist-controlled union organizations in key defense plants
throughout the United States.
"When Germany invaded Russia on June 22, 1941, a typical Leninistic
"sharp turn" was executed by the Communist Party in the United
States. Immediately the American Peace Mobilization was dissolved.
The epidemic of strikes ended abruptly. The ' ' imperialist war ' ' became
a "people's war" and the Communist slogan of the day was "All aid
to the Soviet Union, Great Britain and the Allies." They were no
longer interested in placing an embargo on the shipment of materials
of war to belligerent nations and became particularly anxious that such
materials be shipped to the Soviet Union. They no longer opposed
military training or conscription. President Roosevelt ceased to be a
' ' war-monger ' ' and the Communist Party wanted all the ' ' Yanks ' ' they
could get. A howl went up from American Communists for the immedi-
ate opening of a " second front, ' '
UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA 91
LEGAL AND ILLEGAL ORGANIZATIONS
The Communist Party originally divided the United States into 20
Communist districts. Each had its governing structure. California,
Arizona and Nevada was designated as District Thirteen. Headquarters
for this district was located in San Francisco and for many years was
maintained at 121 Haight Street in that city. Each State had its subordi-
nate structure and was in turn divided into county organizations, which
were broken down into a labyrinth of sections, branches, units, cells,
fractions, commissions and committees.
In recent years this system of dividing the country into districts has
been abandoned and each State has maintained its Communist organiza-
tion with a general secretary in charge, each county having its own
chairman, secretary and treasurer. During the last few years in which
the movement functioned as a political party it followed the laws applic-
able to political organizations. In California the Comnmnist Party
held its conventions at about the same time and in the same manner as
the Democratic and Republican Parties. Their candidates for State
elective offices appeared on the ballot at general elections. In the larger
cities candidates were nominated for municipal offices. At all times a
secret or underground Communist organization was maintained, not
only for the purpose of creating the peculiar attraction found in a
secret, conspiratorial revolutionary organization, but also for the prac-
tical purpose of always having an organizational structure under iron
discipline ready in the event that the open organization above-ground
should be broken up or demoralized by legal action.
REPORT OF CALIFORNIA PEACE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION
In October of 1940 the Peace Officers Association of the State of Cali-
fornia held its twentieth annual convention in Fresno. Delegates to
this convention represented the law enforcement agencies of the State
of California. They had long been concerned with the activities of the
Communist Party and had given serious study to its aims, objects and
techniques. On page 6 of the report appears the following statement :
" Contrary to its ridiculous claims the Communist Party is not
intrinsically a political party. It utilizes the political angle as a
means of procuring legal protection while it engages in constant
efforts to win over the American people to Communism as opposed
to American Democracy. And while on this subject, it should be
pointed out that Communists claim in a righteous manner that they
want to preserve American Democracy. That statement is all right
as far as it goes, but it does not go far enough ; it should go further
to include this phrase: 'We want to preserve American Democracy
until we have at last gained control of the government, and no
longer need the Democratic form of government to provide protec-
tion for our undermining activities'."
On pages 12 and 13 of the report, the following statement is made :
"The stream-lined Communist Party which we see in operation
today is scarcely recognizable on the surface as the hard-bitten,
fighting, sneering and threatening organization it was some years
ago. In those days the party made no bones of saying right out loud
!»- UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
that it advocated the overthrow of this government by force and
violence. The Communists believed that the overthrow could be
accomplished only through a bloody revolution, as the 'capitalist
class' would not relinquish its wealth and possessions without a
struggle.
"That old-time party was an open challenge in the teeth of its
enemies by refusing to recognize National Holidays, by refusing to
permit the American flag to be displayed at its meetings and by
flaunting its theories of promiscuity in the faces of decent citizens.
"By these defiant tactics more enemies were made for the party
than converts, so the next obvious move was made ; the entire face of
the party, as well as its tactics, were changed. It was 'Amer-
icanized' to the furthest extent possible, considering the material
the Communists had to work with.
' ' First, the party began denying that it advocated force and vio-
lence ; next it threw off its sickly revolutionary cloak and donned a
robe embroidered only with the word 'political party.'
' ' Next came the adoption of the practice of always displaying the
American Flag at Communist and subsidiary meetings. It was now
seen at the head of parades, in all party centers, etc.
"The Communists who had been sneering, 'We don't celebrate
capitalist holidays ' or ' We don 't observe bourgeois traditions, ' now
began closing shop on National Holidays and began flying the Stars
and Stripes from their windows, in fake deference to our National
traditions and institutions.
"Next came the positively startling- and amazing proclamation
that Communists love the American traditions and institutions and
want to preserve them and also want to preserve democracy.
' ' While not of importance, it is amazing to note that these pro-
nouncements by the party stimulated its natural enemy — the Trotsky
group — to some of its highest achievements in sarcasm and irony;
the Trotskyites, exposing this knavery and deceit, with masterful
strokes of the pen and with caustic words, caricatured Earl Browder
wrapped in the American Flag and fraternizing with the capitalist
class.
The California Peace Officers Association's report on the embar-
rassment experienced by the Communists in its "line" switching is
described as follows:
' ' But there remained the advocacy of indiscriminate carnality for
the party to live down. This was more or less of a problem, for the
membership had both the Communist Manifesto and the program of
the Communist International, no less, for its authority on this
subject; and the said program set forth that the myth of the
' Sanctity ' of the ' Home ' was a pack of nonsense, and something that
the bourgeoisie had cooked up ; that children should not be burdened
upon parents, but should be wards of the State ; further, it gave the
general impression that human beings should have no limitations
or inhibitions imposed upon their personal desires.
"So here was a pretty kettle of fish: Here was the Communist
Party trying to discard its more barbarous and loose libertinism for
the attempted appearance of respectability. But within the party's
ranks there existed a situation where white women openly consorted
UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA 93
with Negro men ; white, black, Japanese, Mexican and Filipino mem-
bers had set up their own little personal alliances with the full appro-
bation of the party. ' Communist marriages, ' not blessed by benefit
of clergy, founded upon this color-and-race combination basis
abounded and were not to be easily dissolved by a sweeping mandate
of the party, so the party had no alternative other than to permit
them to continue — while the party leaders held their breath and
hoped in the names of Marx, Engels, and Lenin that the public would
not learn of them !
"Meanwhile the party had gone through some extremely unpleas-
ant experiences because of its encouragement of interracial affairs ;
jilted Negroes, who had been discarded by jaded ' Comrades' in more
cases than one took revenge through vindictive retaliation in the
form of physical violence. These embarrassing situations were kept
as quiet as possible, with a significant forebearance from any form of
punishment for the aggressor, setting a precedent in the annals of
Communist Party history. It is interesting to note that there are
no present allusions to the odoriferous section of the Communist
theory which endorses salacity and which decries restraint of any
personal lust.
"Even the Communist press came in for a wash-day renovation.
The 'Daily Worker', long admitted as the official organ of the Com-
munist Party, went through the suds of deception and came out as
white as snow with the announcement that three American women
(whose ancestry dates way back to there) had purchased the paper
and would continue its publication in the interests of 'giving the
truth' to the working class. It was to be a purely respectable and
humanitarian venture, of course ! (In the absence of a better known
punctuation mark which would indicate sarcasm and irony, we must
be content with the exclamation point. )
"In California a similar action was taken. The 'Western
Worker' which had previously been the official organ of the Com-
munist Party of the West Coast, also went through the wash and
returned to the newsstand as the 'People's World,' completely
freed from the tell-tale red of the Communist soil.
"But — looking behind the scenes we still find the 100 per cent
Communist staffs on both of these publications; and we still hear
the old familiar instructions to Party members to 'raise $50,000
for the People's World at once and to work hard to build up the
sustaining fund for the 'Daily Worker'."
THE COMMUNIST PRESS
William Schneiderman, former Secretary of the Communist Party
of California, and presently the Secretary of the Communist Political
Association of California, was examined in San Francisco in reference
to many matters, among which was the "People's Daily World." His
testimony in this connection, is as follows (Com. Tr., Vol. XXIV, pp.
313-319):
Q. By Mr. Combs: Now, Mr. Schneiderman, here's another
question that may seem somewhat naive — I spoke to you about it
before you were sworn to testify — in response to a great many ques-
tions that have been asked by the Committee during the four years
94 UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
of its existence regarding the status of the People's Daily World,
as to whether it was or was not an organ of the Communist Party,
the answer has been universally that it was not. We have run
across some excerpts from the Communist Party publications,
official publications, that would indicate it is. I'm going to read
the excerpts to you and ask you whether or not you are familiar
with them, and by way of foundation I '11 ask you if you are familiar
with the old Western Worker?
A. Yes.
Q. That was unquestionably the official organ of the Communist
Party of this State, was it not?
A. Yes, it was.
Q. And it went out of business in 1938, did it not?
A. Yes, the end of '37.
Q. And it was succeeded by the People 's Daily World, was it not ?
A. May I explain that ?
Q. Yes.
A. Originally it was our intention to publish the Western Worker
as a daily newspaper. When we began to go over the budget of
how much it would be to run a daily newspaper it became obvious
to us that we ourselves couldn't support and finance a Communist
daily newspaper, so we gave up the idea and agreed to support the
launching of an independent progressive newspaper, in which the
Communists participated in its launching, so that the People's
Daily World never had the same status as the Western Worker,
which was the official organ of the party.
Q. Did you ever hear of the California Guide, which was pub-
lished by the California Communist Party in 1938 ?
A. I believe so, yes.
Q. I'm reading from the California Guide of 1938 (reading) :
"We open the New Year in California with a daily people's voice
— -a voice which will be heard in every corner of our State, cham-
pioning the rights of all the oppressed and exploited — our own
People's World." Are you familiar with that excerpt?
A. It sounds familiar.
Mr. Combs : The next excerpt is from the Communist Bulletin —
I don't have the exact title of this here, I copied it verbatim and I
don't have the exact title. The excerpt is as follows (reading) :
' ' In the first instance in 1938, three steps were necessary in bring-
ing about a big circulation of the People's Daily World. The first
step was to establish a circulation drive committee for the several
forces" — I don't understand it, it seems ungrammatical — (con-
tinuing to read) :
"2. To organize a plan around which this unit and branches could
mobilize their work" — the person who wrote this is not as glib as
you are, Mr. Schneiderman — (continuing to read) :
"3. To make the '42 drive successful by seeing to it that every
section, unit and branch shall make up a small committee to direct
the work." Did you ever hear of anything like that?
A. I can't place that. We have never made a secret of the fact
we are interested in building the People's World circulation, since
other people in other political parties wouldn 't.
UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA 95
Q. The Party Organizer was issued by the Communist Party of
the United States — you knew that, didn't you?
A. Yes.
Q. From page 10 of the March, 1938, issue is the following
(reading) : "We have repeatedly emphasized the necessity of
utilizing our press for the recruiting of new members. We now
stress the need for making use of our press for the education of
those who join. We have not only the Daily Worker and the Sun-
day Worker, but the Mid- West Daily Record and the West Coast
People's Daily World. We must strive to make our new members
readers of our daily press. That is not all. We should see that
these new comrades receive at least a minimum of necessary party
literature and strive to popularize The Communist and the Party
Organizer among them."
That was the March issue. In the April issue of the Party
Organizer on page 24 was the following (reading) : "The Party
press is indispensable in recruiting. Give or sell copies of the
Daily Worker, and Sunday Worker, the Midwest, the Daily Record,
the western People's World to your contacts, your friends and
fellow workers. Follow up the list of readers of our Party press. ' '
That is from an article "How to Recruit" as told by the dele-
gates to the National Party Builders Congress. The next excerpt
is from the Party Organizer for April, 1938, page 38 (reading) :
"Another trade unionist among the same group became so
enthusiastic about finding the Party that he immediately asked us
to bring some one down to his neighborhood to talk about the Party.
We had three sessions with some people and recruited two more.
Another important new member is a Negro woman who formerly
did important work in the Democratic Party. I worked with this
woman, helped her build a woman's group, and explained how we
helped build organizations. She became very enthusiastic about
this and promised to arrange classes where we will speak to pro-
gressive Negroes in Los Angeles about the Party.
"I want to speak about one of our other comrades' experiences.
There is a Chinese laundry in her neighborhood and all of our com-
rades had been collecting clothes and money for the Chinese people.
The comrade immediately made it her business to take something
there every week, and she took our press with her, the People's
World." The next is from the Party Organizer for April, 1938,
.page 5 (reading) :
"We have broken into the trade unions with our People's World,
which I now handle instead of the Daily Worker. I have special
customers for the Sunday Worker. It has been much harder to sell
the Daily Worker in A. F. of L. unions than in C. I. 0. unions, but
I still sell the Daily Worker there too. I asked the workers if they
know about the Communist Party and about Communism. They
say, 'No!' I say: 'Read that paper, read something for your own
interest. ' That is how I get them to read the People 's World and
I have steady customers for the paper in the A. F. of L."
Would those expressions in the Party Organizer tend to make it
appear to the layman that the People's World was an official organ
of the Communist Party ?
96 UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
A. I think that bears out the statement I made that we had
originally intended to publish a daily newspaper of our own. Just
the term "our press" doesn't mean it is an official organ of the
Communist Party. As a matter of fact, we call it our press, it is the
only newspaper that gives a fair and objective view of Communism
without red-baiting and without distortion such as we usually
expect from the daily newspapers.
Q. Who is the owner ?
A. It's owned by a corporation, the Pacific Publishing Founda-
tion.
Q. That corporation was formed when?
A. I think two or three years ago.
Q. Before that it was a co-partnership ?
A. Before that, yes.
Q. Isn't it owned by a co-partnership, which is doing business
under the name and style of the Pacific Publishing Company ?
A. I don 't know. It is a
Q. (Interrupting) You are sure it is a corporation?
A. Yes.
Q. How do you know that?
A. The masthead says owned by West Publishing, Inc.
Mr. Combs: I thought it used to be known by the name of the
World Publishing Company.
Chairman Tenney : Do you know any of the stockholders in the
foundation.
A. Yes, some of them.
Q. Are you a stockholder ?
A. No.
Mr. Combs: Q. Mr. Schneiderman, the People's World just went
into a new building, did it not, not long ago?
A. Yes.
Q. Moved to a new building ?
A. Yes.
Q. When was tftat about, how long ago?
A. A few months ago.
Q. Where is that located ?
A. I don't recall the address. On Folsom Street.
Q. Do you write for the paper from time to time ?
A. No, although they have published extracts from my speeches
or articles from other publications.
Q. Do you have anything to do with the policy?
A. Only so far as I know the editors, and we, naturally, exchange
views on questions.
Q. What I mean, we're not trying to insinuate anything, but what
I'm trying to get is an expression whether you do or do not — do
you have anything to do with the formation of the editorial policy
from time to time ?
A. I 'm not connected with the editorial board, no.
Q. Not officially — what I 'm trying to get is this : Harrison George
is the editor ?
A. Yes.
Q. You have known him for a long time ?
UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA 97
A. Yes.
Q. Does he ask your advice about the editorial policy of the paper
from time to time ?
A. Sometimes, yes.
Q. Does he follow it?
A. Not always.
Chairman Tenney : "Was Mr. George a member of the Party ?
A. Yes.
Q. He is a member of the Communist Political Association ?
A. Yes, 1 believe so.
The ''People's Daily World" of the West Coast and the "Daily
Worker" of New York constitute but a small part of the printed material
constantly distributed by the Communists in the United States. Each
of the ' ' front ' ' organizations, under innocent names, publish their own
organs. "The Communist" is a monthly publication carrying articles
by prominent Communists in America. In line with the current policy
of the Communists, the monthly publication, "The Communist," will
appear in a new format in January, 1945, under title "Public Affairs."
Most authoritative and most revered of Communist writers and modern
Marxian theoreticians is Lenin. Stalin is considered just as authorita-
tive and is second only to Lenin. Communist Party propaganda pamph-
lets, containing the philosophy of Marx, Lenin and Stalin, can
be purchased in any of the many book stores sponsored by the
Communists in California. The Progressive Book Shop in Los Angeles
and the Twentieth Century Book Shop in San Francisco are two of the
prominent distribution centers for Communist propaganda in Califor-
nia. In the most remote corners of California Communist literature
can be obtained from a Communist Party member assigned to that task by
his superiors.
HAND-BOOK FOR REVOLUTION
In 1939 a Soviet Commission announced the publication of a work
which was to be the textbook for Communist Parties throughout the
world. This work includes in condensation the writings of Lenin and
Stalin and embodies the philosophy of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels.
It traces the history of the abortive Russian revolution of 1905 and the
successful revolution of October, 1917. It describes in minute detail the
step by step strategy used by the Bolsheviks in their struggle for power
in Russia. It describes Communist infiltration into the Army and Navy
of Russia ; its struggle to control transportation and communication facili-
ties. The book was printed in many languages and distributed in every
country where a Communist Party was organized. Its publication was
hailed in the Communist Party press of the United States as a work to
be used as a guide for revolutionary action. It was immediately adopted
for Communist beginner's classes and study groups throughout the
United States.
COMMUNIST POSTWAR STRATEGY
The book carefully admonishes Communists everywhere to be prepared
to take full advantage of internal conflicts. They are told that in the
event of a world war they must be alert to entrench themselves solidly
98 UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
in order to be prepared to take advantage of post-war economic confu-
sion. On page 68 of "The Communist" for November, 1935. appears the
following statement :
"The Soviet Union will be forced, in case of war, to ally herself
with Capitalist power. If the Soviet government, even now, is forced
to adapt its diplomatic methods to those of Capitalist allies ; if the
Communist Party of the Soviet Union, even now, disapproves of
the Communist Parties of the countries allied to the Soviet Union
in order to please Capitalist allies and asks them to submit to the
demands of their Capitalist war ministers — if this is happening now,
there will certainly, in the event of war, be a still greater danger
that the war policy of the Soviet Union may be influenced by the
pressure of her Capitalist allies, and that therefore her revolutionary
working-class character may be obscured or diluted. In view of this
danger, international Socialism must insist that the Soviet govern-
ment conduct the war as a revolutionary war, a war of propaganda
with a view to bringing about the working-class revolution in Ger-
many, and to facilitate in the other countries the use of war for the
overthrow of the Capitalist regime. . . . Socialism must not
forget that the aims of the Capitalist governments allied on the side
of the Soviet Union are entirely different from its own. It must
therefore maintain, with regard to these governments, its complete
independence. It must not accept political responsibility for their
conduct of the war. It must not enter into a 'civil peace' with
them." (Italics ours.)
The Communist plan for the control of the countries of Europe, after
the anticipated world war, is set forth in "The Communist" for Novem-
ber, 1935, at page 1065 :
' ' The capitalist governments will go to war with the intention of
destroying Germany's power forever. . . . Our aim can only
be to bring about the working-class revolution in Germauy, and, as
soon as the revolution is victorious, immediately to make peace with
the new working-class Germany . . . and to bring about the
union of all the European nations and the federations of Socialist
workers and peasants States. . . .
"The capitalist governments will at first try to defeat Germany
in alliance with the Soviet Union. Every victory of the Soviet Union
will add to her reputation in Europe and Asia, and thereby endanger
the Capitalist system. Soon the countries allied to the Soviet Union •
will be more afraid of the victories of their ally than of the victories
of the common enemy. Having first tried to defeat Germany they
will, on the very day after the common victory, turn on the Soviet
Union in order to save the Capitalist system. Against this, our
aim must be first to defeat Fascism by a common effort, and then
to organize in common with the Soviet Union ,and the victorious
German revolution the Socialist economy of Europe.
' ' Therefore the Socialist parties of the democratic countries allied
to the Soviet Union, from the first day of the war, must make the
masses understand the difference between their own aims and those
of the Capitalist classes." (Italics ours.)
UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA 99
In "Foundations of Leninism", at page 54, Stalin declares :
"Today, both in England and America, 'essential for every real
people's revolution', is the break-up, the shattering of the 'ready
made ' big machinery. In other words, the war of violent revolution,
the war of destruction and the machinery of the bourgeois States,
as a condition precedent for such revolution, is an inevitable law
of the revolutionary movement of the imperialist countries. . . .
Lenin is right in saying : ' The proletarian revolution is impossible
without the violent destruction of the bourgeois big machine, and
its replacement by a new one'."
The Communists of California were quick to capitalize on the distress
of the unemployed during the depression. When the migration of agri-
cultural workers from the so-called dust bowl region began to
seriously aggravate the unemployed situation in California, the
Communists immediately launched a campaign designed to control
the State Relief Administration of the State. Party members were suc-
cessful in securing appointments and jobs in this agency, at the same
time clamoring vociferously for greater appropriations from the State
Legislature. They sought to increase the personnel of the staff of the
Belief Administration and to extend qualifications for relief, thus neces-
sitating the need for greater appropriations. Communist employees of
the State Relief Administration affiliated with the "State, County and
Municipal Workers of America" (SCMTWA), a Communist-inspired and
dominated organization. Applicants for relief soon learned that their
appeals to the Relief Administration were postponed and disregarded
until they became affiliated with "The Worker's Alliance", a Commu-
nist organization headed by Alexander Noral, a registered member of
the Communist Party. An Assembly Investigating Committee was cre-
ated, and after a series of public hearings and reports to the Legislature,
the Communist members were dismissed from their positions in the
State Relief Administration. As a result, the Communists plan to use an
economic crisis for recruiting hundreds of thousands of unemployed
people into the Party was thwarted.
The policy of the world-wide Communist movement in taking advan-
tage of major conflicts, such as the present war, for the purpose of getting
control of one country after another, is being revealed in the daily press
as this report is written. Within the past few days a commission of the
United States Government has been ordered nut of Bulgaria by the
Soviet Union. British troops are being compelled to fight in Greece
against a group of Greek Communists who are endeavoring to forcibly
overthrow the tottering vestige of government and seize permanent con-
trol for themselves. Italy had barely surrendered when emissaries from
the Soviet Union appeared and started to conduct huge mass meetings
for the purpose of seizing control of the government. In France, Maurice
Thorez, the Communist leader who fled to the Soviet Union in exile when
the war started in 1939, has returned and is now organizing
the Communists in that country. The Soviet Union has organized a group
of Germans into a "Free Germany Committee" for the purpose of Bol-
shevizing postwar Germany.
For a great many years the countries of India and China have been
fertile fields for Communist agitation. The situation in these countries
100 UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
is similar to the situation that existed in Russia prior to the revolution of
1917. In both India and China the governments are weak. The Com-
munists of both countries are working for the destruction of the respec-
tive governments under Moscow directives and are making headway.
William Schneiderman, Secretary of the Communist Political Associa-
tion of California, was examined by the committee October 27, 1944, in
San Francisco, concerning the International aspects of Communism. As
the basis for this examination he was asked about the textbook compiled
by the Soviet Commission, published in 1939, and distributed in every
country in which a Communist Party was functioning. Schneiderman
stated that the volume was printed in 27 languages. He denied that the
book was being extensively used at the present time. He admitted that
there were Communist Parties functioning in the United States, Mexico,
South America, China, India, Canada, Germany, Italy and France. He
stated that all of these Parties were founded on the same philosophy, that
their members studied the same textbooks, followed the socialism of Karl
Marx, and, generally, conformed to the Communist Party "line" as it
developed and changed from time to time.
SCHNEIDERMAN ON MARXISM
Examined on the subject of Marxian dialectic, William Schneiderman
testified as follows (Com. Tr. Vol. XXIV, pp. 285-288) :
Q. By Mr. Combs: Isn't it a fact that the essence of the Com-
munist ideology is found in chapter four of the textbook that I have
just mentioned, the chapter being entitled historical and dialectical
materialism ?
A. That gives a basis for the philosophy of Marxism. Not neces-
sarily all of the Marxian ideology.
Q. What is meant from a Communist standpoint or a Marxist
standpoint by dialectical materialism ?
A. It 's a scientific method of thought which describes the laws of
motion of society, and that's about the limit that I could give you
verbally. If you want a more precise definition, I'll be glad to
write it and have it included in the record.
Q. No, it was a preliminary question. My next question : Do they
teach embryonic students historical and dialectic materialism?
A. I have never taught the subject, so I couldn't say. It's a
rather complicated subject.
Q. Yes, I know.
A. It 's a subject for more advanced students. We don 't in public
activities discuss philosophy, naturally. A small minority of the
people are interested in the philosophy.
Q. But the Communist ideology was essentially predicated on
philosophy ?
A. Yes, materialistic philosophy.
Q. And still is ?
A. Yes.
Q. Now, Mr. Schneiderman, you recall when the Comintern or the
Third International was dissolved, do you not ?
A. Yes.
UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA 101
Q. Was there any change in the essential attitude of the Com-
munist Party after the dissolution of the Comintern, so far as its
basic ideas and objects were concerned?
A. No.
Q. It remained the same afterwards as it did before ?
A. That's right,
Q. Has there been any change in the basic objectives and pur-
poses and ideology of the Communist movement in the United States
after the formation of the Communist Political Association?
A. Yes, there has. As a matter of fact, even before the formation
of the Political Association.
Q. How long before ?
A. I would date it about January of this year.
Q. January 1st ?
A. The month of January.
Q. And what event brought about that change ?
A. The event which caused us to revise our estimates of what is
likely to happen was the Teheran Conference that took place between
the American, British and Soviet Governments.
Q. Now, Mr. Schneiderman
A. (Interrupting) Just another sentence or two — we came to
the conclusion that this marked a basic and fundamental change in
the whole world situation by bringing about a world coalition, and
instead of fighting each other we saw a long and indefinite period of
peace and stable relations in all countries as a result of the victory
in this war, and we came to a conclusion as a result of this coalition
and cooperation on an international scale that resulted from the
conference at Teheran that American capitalism had a very bright
future of prosperity, strength and stability, for the first time it
found a world market which could take care of all the goods this
country could possibly produce.
Q. You have given an excellent example of the process of dialectic
materialism ?
A. I suppose you could call it that.
Q. In other words, the attitude of the party in this country
changed because of the fact they view these events through the lenses
of Marxism or dialectical materialism, isn 't that true ?
A. That's right.
Q. Did the same change of attitude occur when the Germans
invaded the Soviet Union in June, 1941 ?
A. What do you mean, the same change of attitude ?
Q. Was it again the application of dialectical materialism that
resulted in that change of attitude?
A. No. I believe that many people who are not Marxists devel-
oped a change of attitude on the world situation.
Q. Unquestionably we could
A. (Interrupting) We found the change of the history that was
marked by Munich, that is, appeasement — appeasement of Hitler,
and that this had changed into an entirely different war because of
the attack by the Germans on the Soviet Union, and it was recog-
nized by the American Government, and they changed their views
and pronouncements very considerably after June, 1941,
102 UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
Q. Getting back to the basic question, wouldn't you say that
was a change of attitude of the Communist working of dialectic
materialism again?
A. I suppose so.
Thus, no less an authority than William Schneiderman, former secre-
tary of the Communist Party of California, and presently secretary of
the Communist Political Association of California, tells us in Marxian
language that the Communist Political Association is just the same as
the Communist Party that preceded it. Its change of name and change
of policy is in strict conformance with Marxian dialectic and a result
of the Marxian materialistic interpretation of history plus a Leninistic
"sharp turn." The painted leopard is a leopard still.
The Teheran Conference where Stalin, Churchill and Roosevelt met
to discuss the problems of their respective nations regarding the common
war effort, was proclaimed by Communists throughout the world as a
breath-taking and profound event. There was nothing exciting to the
Communists in the meetings which had previously taken place between
Churchill and Roosevelt and between Churchill and Stalin. But when
Marshal Stalin, Secretary of the Third Communist International, the
infallible head of the Communist religion, leaves Moscow and travels to
Teheran for the purpose of conferring with Churchill and Roosevelt,
the event becomes earth-shaking and Marxists everywhere view it through
the spectacles of dialectical materialism.
American Communists again removed their proletarian overalls,
donned dinner-jackets and attempted to assume an air of respectability.
They had made the change before and they did it again with the same
bland indifference that characterized their leap from "The British
Imperialist War " to " The People 's war. ' '
At its New York Convention the "Party" went through the motions
of committing political suicide. The Communist Party of the United
States was dissolved. In the same breath and in the same convention
the Communist Political Association of the United States was born.
Shortly thereafter the Young Communist League met in convention,
apparently committed hari-kari and in. the same meeting brought forth
a new organization, " American Youth for Democracy." The same thing
happened in Canada. All of these "quick changes'-' took place, accord-
ing to Communist reasoning, because Roosevelt, Churchill and Stalin
had met and discussed international affairs at Teheran.
The sixth period of Communist strategy in the United States may
have ended with the Teheran Conference and the frantic name-changing
in official Communist Party organizations. The committee is entirely
too close to the picture at this writing to definitely state whether the
sixth period closed with this event or whether it was a logical develop-
ment of the same period. Whether it was merely a continuance of the
sixth period or the ushering in of the seventh, the committee states
unequivocally that a new period in Communist strategy in the United
States will begin when the war is concluded. The Communists of
America have carefully laid the ground work and are prepared for the
events that are to come. They expect social upheaval and economic
disruption to follow in the wake of war. They believe that there will
be a bitter and discontented people throughout this broad country of
UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA 103
ours; widespread unemployment, rising prices and staggering public
debts. Hundreds of thousands of war veterans will be attempting to
adjust themselves to civil life. The groundwork for race riots is already
laid. There will be confusion and chaos. Hundreds of thousands of
workers will be discharged from closing wartime factories, swelling the
army of the unemployed. They believe they will be in a position to
foment dissension. The Communists of the United States and of the
world have a program. Although, as has been shown in this Report,
there is nothing "scientific" about Marxism, it is, nevertheless, a blue-
print for revolution.
An informed public is the only obstacle in the path of the dictator-
ship of the proletariat ; the only power that can stop the march of Red
Fascism.
The Communist fight against legislative committees investigating
subversive activities is understandable. They know that the dark corners
of their alleged philosophies can not stand sunlight ; that their machina-
tions and intrigues can not withstand exposure. They know that once
the people learn that their "scientific socialism" is "phoney" and that
their "dictatorship of the proletariat" is slavery and Red Fascism, they
will be compelled to go out of business. The F. B. I. can only arrest
them when they break the law. They have the International Labor
Defense for these occasions and "defense committees" which collect
money and create causes celebre — and it's good propaganda for the
revolution. The people do not understand.
The Communist fight against legislative committees investigating
subversive activities, we repeat, is quite understandable.
COMMUNIST STRATEGY IN THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE
Communist strategy for the conquest of North and South America
has lost none of its cunning since the beginning of its sixth period
marked by Hitler 's invasion of Russia. The committee finds that plans
for the destruction of the institutions and democracy of the United
States, as well as for the destruction of Mexican, Central and South
American republics, are being carefully laid and worked out with vicious
exactitude, even while Communist spokesmen call for "unity" and
"world peace." The committee finds that the Communist objective for
the violent and forceful overthrow of the Government of the United
States, and of the Governments of Mexico, Central and South America,
is being carried forward now and that Communist strategists believe their
efforts will be crowned with success within a decade.
The June 24, 1944, issue of the Mexican pictorial publication, Manana,
contained the speech of a Chilean Senator, Elias Laferte, before the
ninth Congress of the Communist Party of Mexico. The May 22, 1044,
issue of the New York Times states that Chilean Senator, Elias Laferte
(which is the correct spelling) is President of the Communist Party of
Chile, and that he attended the 1944 National Convention of the Com-
munist Party of the United States of America held in New York City,
in May, 1944, at which time the name of the organization was changed
to the Communist Political Association.
104 UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
The "Corporation Carp," mentioned in the translation of Laferte's
speech, is apparently the Carp Export and Import Company, headed by-
Sam Carp, whose brother-in-law is Molotov, the Soviet Premier. (See
the Dies Committee Report for extensive details on Carp.) The "Lom-
barclo," mentioned frequently, is Vincento Lombardo Toledano, head of
the Confederation of Latin-American Workers.
The translation of the editorial note preceding Elias Laf erte 's speech
is as follows :
"On the 18th of last May, somewhere in Mexico City, the most
important leaders of National Communism, in company with other
foreign comrades — Sokolov — among them — met mysteriously to
bring to a close, by secret session, the Ninth Congress of the Com-
munist Party of Mexico, which had been openly begun in the Palace
of Fine Arts. The culminating speech was to be delivered by one
of the most important Red Leaders of America, Lafferte, Chilean
Deputy, invited to dictate assignments to the Mexican companions.
Days earlier, another prominent Marxist figure — Sokolov — had
explained how the sovietization of Mexico had been thoroughly
studied and planned from Moscow ("Excelsior" Friday, June 16,
first page). Lafferte went farther: He singled out Catholicism as
the most formidable enemy of Communism in its struggle to get
control of power in America, and in a sensational passage of his
speech, he pointed out the methods which Communism must employ
on this continent, to disparage first, and to destroy later, the religious
forces which stand in the pathway of Moscow's Bolshevizing of
America. One of the most important continental Communist
leaders of European stock, Lafferte, explained what had been until
now the political assumption for Marxism in America ; what tactics
must be used ; what procedure must be followed to obtain in a brief
time the control of a continent which — he explains — is found at the
present time under the yoke of two imperialisms : the Catholic and
the Anglo Saxon. After an intensive reporter effort Manana has
secured the authentic documentation of the historic gathering of the
18th of May and presents in these following pages the opinions
poured out by Lafferte, according to the stenographic version of the
above mentioned closing session.
' ' America — Mexico particularly — is on the point of receiving the
blow!"
The article as it appears in Manana is titled "A Sensational Docu-
ment, The Plan For The Sovietization of America." The English trans-
lation of the entire article follows :
' ' C. Bias Manrique : Due to the absence of Comrade Livinson the
lecture is postponed. Comrade Lafferte has the floor and will dictate
his lecture as the final act of our Congress. It is requested that the
comrades who have not yet received their stipend for expenses, will
report to the offices of Licenciado (Attorney) Livinson in the
Workers ' University from 6 to 8 at night, bearing their correspond-
ing receipts and expense accounts. It is requested of the comrades
that before leaving the hall, they will come by and get their sup-
plies of propaganda and final instructions for their respective zones.
The comrades of the Federal District, Jalisco and Nuevo Leon,
UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA 105
have been designated to accompany Comrades Lafferte, Duran and
Davies Ben to the airport tomorrow when they will leave on urgent
business for the United States. The delegates only, will accompany
the Presidium on a courtesy visit to the high functionaries of
Mexico — which was solicited and granted by them — the Generals
Maximino Avila Camacho, Lazaro Cardenas, Antonio Villalobos;
then all comrades must attend the banquet at Pena Montanese in
honor of Comrade Lafferte. On the 19th and 20th, the secretary of
the Party will receive and dispatch the Zone Chiefs dealing with
local affairs. Comrade Lafferte now has the floor.
ADDRESS OF COMMUNIST LAFERTE
"C. Lafferte : In a few words, in order not to tire the Assembly's
attention I shall refer to the general situation of the American
Continent, of England, and of Russia, for what it is doing to our
World Communist Party. To clarify concepts it is necessary to
point out that the U. S. S. R., the government of Marshal Stalin
continues faithful to the legitimate orientations which you have just
listened to. She continues being faithful a hundred per cent, and
it is not convenient among ourselves to attach any importance to
the tactics of the fight which from time to time is promulgated from
Moscow and other places controlled by Marxism, with the purpose
of appeasing the distrust and suspicion of the capitalist system.
In these moments in which the war effort of the United Nations
must be harmonious in order to end the might of the Axis, the oppor-
tunities for the infiltration of Communism throughout the world are
superb, not only the proletarian field, but also in the intellectual and
cultural field, in the military field, in the field of finance and inter-
national commerce. In regard to the proletarian field, our base
consists of the Union of Soviet Syndicates which maintains relations
with some countries such as the Workers' Congress of England, the
labor organizations of India, Australia, New Zealand, Africa, the
C. I. 0. of the United States, the Railroad Brotherhood of that coun-
try, and the C. T. A. L. in Latin America. Within these organiza-
tions the Communist units have a sufficient control to permit us to
have hopes of triumph. If it is true that the English labor leader
is not adapted to ideological orientation in our cause, we have in
Hillman and in Lombardo two prominent authorities on this con-
tinent. In order to succeed in Latin America we have contingents
in the General Federation of Labor organized in Argentina through
councils and national federations of industry. We all know what
the present situation in Argentina is, and for that reason it is clear
to say nothing. But their Marxist chiefs have succeeded in escap-
ing from the persecution of the government, and only a few of the
most prominent have been taken prisoner as have been a few of the
workers' leaders. Nevertheless the crisis which will be provoked
by the Argentine expropriations by the Anglo Saxon governments
will favor Communist infiltration. It is to be studied in the case of
Argentine how hatred of the Anglo Saxons can be taken as an
advantage in favor of our cause when they see they must fall under
the domination of the Anglo-American arms. Other countries
which have fallen under the influence of the present nationalistic
108 UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
Argentine government are Paraguay, Peru, Bolivia, and in part the
Government of Chile, my own country. Nevertheless all this
wooden frame will crumble when the Argentina Government falls.
The revolution which is being germinated under our direction and
aid in those countries will be aided by the United States, England,
and Brazil. The directive elements of the federation of workers
in Paraguay are at present in exile because of the persecution dealt
them by the new government, but there as in Bolivia we have suc-
ceeded in having the Anglo Saxon diplomacy not recognize the new
government, placing it in the same position as Argentina. In Chile
the Communist Party and the Federation of Labor work in open
cooperation, and we take part in the government. Economic neces-
sity has forced the Rios Government to recognize Argentina.
Nevertheless, we have great hope that the very government of Rios
will aid the communistic revolutions which will take place in those
countries utilizing the above mentioned conditions. The case of
Venezuela and Colombia, countries perfectly controlled by Anglo-
American Imperialism, are difficult because there we do not, as yet,
have the situation very well controlled. It has been necessary to
insist that the present President of Colombia not renounce his office
because new elections could be fatal for the liberal regime which per-
mits the existence of the Communist Party. The Colombian Fed-
eration of Labor is organized by Communist councils and we have
the control of the organization. Not so in Venezuela where the laws
which have lately been promulgated are contrary to us; but are
unable to make an open fight against the present government of
Venezuela by virtue of the fact that it would signify our complete
defeat in that country. In Ecuador we have organized the National
Committee of Ecuadorian Labor which is in the phase of agitation
and union propaganda. Also in Peru, there only exists a National
Committee of Unification of Workers, formed by our units, but
which has found a very strong resistance from government and the
other social classes.
Communist International Intrigue
' ' The revolutions set for El Salvador have placed the plutocratic
government on the alert, and I have information that the persecu-
tions against our clubs have intensified. Notwithstanding, in the
United States I shall utilize this information to get the Department
of State, in Washington, to intervene in favor of our units, designat-
ing them as democratic revolutions struggling for democracy and
in favor of the United Nations. The same gestures were success-
fully obtained here in Mexico, and we have been assured that Mexico
will intervene in favor of revolutionists seized in Nicaragua, Puerto
Rico, Dominican Republic, Peru, Ecuador, and Venezuela.
"In respect to Costa Rica the government will be organized by
elements in sympathy with our ideology in union with President
Picado P. ; and the strengthening of our cause has been favored
by the establishment of relations with the USSR. I consider it
convenient to indicate that the activities of the units in all these
republics of the South are being favored by the diplomatic activities
of the Minister of Foreign Relations of the Government of Moscow,
UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA 107
supported by the Department of State in "Washington, and the Sec-
retary of Foreign Relations in Mexico, because at the time of estab-
lishing diplomatic relations, the cultural missions, the commercial
and financial missions which now have their main office in the
embassy of Oumansky and in the financial offices of Corporation
Carp and Agency Amtorg of Washington : and those which possibly
may be installed in Canada favor the Communist infiltration in
Latin America. As fighting tactics, there has been installed a
branch of both agencies in Canada, in order to place in competition
the American industrialists and business men against the indus-
trialists and business men of the Federation of the British Nations.
All the English business interests of Latin America will try to sell
in the U. S. S. R. through the offices of Carp Corporation and
Amtorg Agency of Canada. All North American interests will do
the same in the respective offices in Washington. On the other
hand, the financial, industrial, business Russian experts will travel
throughout the American continent accompanied by Canadian,
English and American financiers, business men and industrialists.
Thus our work will be facilitated for controlling the countries of
this continent.
Communist Infiltration
"With reference to the cultural tasks, the infiltration of units in
the student masses of all countries will permit a sweep toward the
Russian culture, supported by the diplomatic offices. The intellec-
tuals, who by monetary necessity will accept collaboration with
the Government offices of the USSR on this continent and with
the newspaper agencies of our propaganda parties in all countries,
also will give a cultural character to Communist infiltration. We
have societies of friends of the USSR in Brazil, Colombia, Uruguay,
Chile, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Mexico, the United States and
Canada. The intellectual groups which are working in favor of
the liberation of France, Germany, Poland, Spain, etc., also will
become agents of our Cause as are those which are already organized.
Military and Religious Opposition to Communism
"Let it not be believed that the success which we have attained
in the proletarian, cultural, and financial fields is placing triumph
within our grasp. The military and religious organizations, the
same as the capitalistic interests, are our strongest enemies. In
Argentina and in Brazil, the military and the Catholics are strongly
united in power. There, only the cultural and financial missions
are working tranquilly in our favor. In Chile the military question
is serious enough, although the religious is very weak. In Colombia,
the reverse is true, the religious question is very strong and the
military is almost in our favor. But, while in Brazil, Argentina,
and Chile, the capitalist interests do not pay much attention to
social struggles, in Colombia and in Venezuela where there are
elements prepared for the struggle against our cause, we find inter-
ests alert to anything which signifies the infiltration of our ideology
and they will fight us to the bloody finish. Of that we have proof
by the way in which our comrade Lombardo has been treated in his
visits to those countries. The press became enraged against him.
108 UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
Nevertheless, at least as far as Colombia is concerned the Government
is on our side. In the United States, Mexico, Cuba, Costa Rica the
government sympathizes with our cause, and we can say that the
military problem does not exist for us; but there does exist and
in a form quite strong, the religious problem and the capitalist
interest, especially the Anglo-American investments which have
already permitted at their cost our triumphs. The capitalistic
interests which are most against us are the petroleum interests of all
continents, for they guard jealously against Communist infiltration.
But we are opposing our enemies, in the first place the Democrats
and the Republicans, since our tactics have always been to accuse
the capitalists of being imperialists, whether they are or not ; after-
wards, we oppose the Socialist Democrat political parties and the
labor unions. In many cases we have utilized the governments
themselves, showing them the danger which can exist for the nation
in which foreign enterprises, especially Anglo Saxon can take
advantage of national wealth. These tactics have served us to
place in a disadvantageous position throughout the American con-
tinent capitalistic Anglo-American investments. Now we have
proceeded in the very government of Argentina in such a manner
that some elements disguised as nationalist have succeeded in
expropriating the Anglo-American interests, (laughter). It is
true that many elements will consider that we have given arms to
a totalitarian and Fascist enemy such as the present Argentina
government; but it must be remembered that one of our fighting
principles consists in attaining for the Latin American countries
full economic and political economy, and in liquidating the semi-
feudal vestiges which characterize those Latin countries through
the existence of Anglo-American interests which have always looked
upon them as colonies. At the same time it is fitting to insist that
we are obliged to provoke situations which can favor the expropria-
tion of all enterprises which currently belong to the bosses, especially
in a time of international crisis of those bosses whose nationality
can be a future danger for our fighting program. It is for this
reason, although it may seem an aberration, that the disappearance
of English and North American capitalists from Latin America
means a triumph for our cause, and in this way, we shall fulfill one
of the postulates of the World Communist Party, which postulate is
becoming synthetized also in one of the principles of the Campaign
Program of the Federation of Workers in Latin America, when it
says in its declaration No. Ill that : The Manual Laborers and the
Intellectual Workers of Latin America declare that the principal
task of the working class of Latin America consists in attaining
full economic and political economy for the Latin American nations
and in liquidating the semifeudal vestiges which characterize their
countries, with the purpose of raising the economic, social, and
moral conditions in which the great masses of the people are found.
This declaration of principles which is fixed in the Postulates of our
World Communist Party in the campaign program of the workers of
Latin America must be explained in two parts : first, that on trying to
point out that the principal task of the working class is to attain
full economic and political autonomy, this means that the working
UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA 109
class must liquidate the economic oppression which exists in each
nationality ; at this moment, those economic pressures on the Latin
American countries are represented by AVall Street and by the
City of London, for French and Spanish capital since it is not
invested in the principal national wealth never will be a danger for
the Communist movement nor for the workers' social movement;
however, our attack must be, even though we are in favor of the
United Nations' struggle against Hitler and Japan, our attack and
our watchword in regard to Latin America must be to liquidate
Anglo-American capitalism and to obtain full economic autonomy
and with it full political autonomy. Later, when the State shall
have expropriated for itself all those natural resources and all
enterprises of the Anglo-American countries we shall take control
of the State by means of political movements. In the second place,
when our declaration of principles refers to liquidating the semi-
feudal vestiges which characterize the Latin American countries,
we are referring especially to the spiritual and political power of
the Catholic Church, Apostolic and Roman. The more than 400
years of spiritual control of the people can not mean for us an easy
overthrow of the Catholic Church which has always been charac-
terized as an enemy of our Cause. Campaign tactics make it neces-
sary for us to appear as sympathizers of Religion and even in the
U.S.S.R. the Soviet Government has been itself obliged to ease up
on religion.
Catholics Not Deceived by Communists
"But it is not possible that either we or the Catholics are deceived.
It is very dangerous to make declarations of this nature in countries
where the political and spiritual power of the Church is above the
government, but in the case of Mexico, where the government is our
ally, and where there have been bloody struggles with the Church,
with the Church left in defeat, it is necessary to convert this country
basically to the Communist and ideological socialist struggle against
the Church.
The United States and Catholicism to Be Attacked
"In the course of my constant travels through Latin America,
studying in detail the general problems and the problems of each
nation which are obstructing us from reaching the triumph of our
Communist cause, I have been fully convinced that these two are
our worst enemies: (1) American capitalism which has dreams
of imperialism and colonizing in South America ; English capitalism
which feels itself strongly supported by the war machinery of the
imperialistic and totalitarian Federation of British Nations; and
(2) the Catholic Church which has its strong control both spiritual
and political over the majorities in each country, especially in the
lower classes where we will have to displace the Catholic Church
with the purpose of making proselytes to our cause.
"These two factors are our international and inter- American
problems which we must attack. Already I have spoken of how
capitalism must be displaced ; also our illustrious comrade Sokolov
has already explained our campaign tactics, making a brilliant
comparison between the historic struggles of our Bolshevik Com-
110 UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
munist Party in Czarist Russia and our present and future struggle
on this American continent in order to bring to an end socially the
capitalist ideology, and to bring to a finish politically the govern-
ments which protect that capitalist ideology. It is necessary now
to refer to the problem of the Catholic Church because it is not a
problem of one single Latin- American nation but rather a problem
of all this Continent, especially in the key countries, which are
Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Venezuela, and Colombia.
1 ' We have explained that in Argentina the coalition of the mili-
tary, or the capitalist, and Catholics are our principal enemy; we
have explained that in Brazil the coalition equally tripartite of the
Catholics, the military, and the capitalists are obstructing our
path, in spite of the initial intentions of some of our elements and
units which have infiltrated themselves into the intellectual and
student class, just as there are some also among the workers and
natives especially among the latter, who are perpetuating the
brilliant memories of the famous acts of Carlos Prestes in his
revolutionary march toward the high States. In Venezuela and
in Colombia only the capitalists and the Catholics are confronting
us, and the same is happening in Mexico. But here we have the
resurgence of the Catholic spiritual power being sufficient to organ-
ize two parties which although they are not to be feared because of
the insignificance of the personality of their leaders, they can pre-
sent us future problems by which I consider that this chosen group
of units and leaders of the Communist Party here gathered will
review their knowledge of the weakness and defects of the spiritual
power of the Catholic Church, and I hope that also you may be able
to say you are increasing your knowledge of the same. In all my
travels through the Continent I have been sharing my knowledge in
lectures similar to the present, either in gatherings, or in watchword
circles, with all our campaigners of each city, of each village, or
each ranch large or small, of each Indian community, of each union,
of each factory, of every city or rural school, of every university ;
let this knowledge be repeated in articles, bulletins, books, motion
picture plots, plots of the legitimate stage, etc., all of you protecting
yourselves by having it deal with advanced studies in science or
civilization, of the future order, and for the good of learning and
culture, as a struggle against ignorance, and as a struggle against
fanaticism, for the good of the people.
Campaign Against the Catholic Church
"These watchwords I have divided in three parts, as follows:
Roman Catholicism is essentially immoral ; Roman Catholicism is
idolatrous; and the Catholic Priesthood is an agent of immorality.
It is urgent as campaign tactics that we infiltrate in the mind of the
children, in the mind of the natives, in the mind of the workers, in
the mind of the students, the ivorst accusatio?is against the Catholic
Church, in order that they draw away from, her and enroll in our
ranks as fervent sympathizers of the cause of the future of the
world, which we ourselves must present as the cause of Communism
protecting the cause of humanity. We must say that the system of
iniquities, held, taught, and practiced by the Catholics, has no
UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA 111
equal. It is audacious, aggressive, intolerant, and cruel, blind
obstinate and blasphemous ; nevertheless, it is also insidious, adapt-
able, and at times conciliatory ; it is pompous, servile, royal, and a
cheat. There is no other religion or philosophy which is launched on
a task so tremendous of corruption, or universal degradation, no
less.
' ' In the study of the Roman evil, one thing we must always keep
in mind, the iron authority of the Pope, the theologians, and the
saints. In Romanism the individual must give account to his
masters, authorized in spite of the consequences, and the base of
the Catholic system of morals rests on the iniquitous teachings and
the immoral example of the saints, converting to that religion by a
virulent code of laws, a priesthood that is wicked and a power blood-
thirsty and cruel.
"We must say, shout, and insist that with a celibate priesthood,
the Catholic leader never will be able to live a normal religious life,
nor even a normal human life, and that it is impossible for him to
set an example of good living. We must say and shout, we must
insist that the plan of Romanism in the life of each country is to
hold supremacy over the civil government in order to enslave all
the inhabitants, and that in order to acquire that control over the
civil government, it has to use fraud, deceit, and injustice ; we must
insist that the Catholic notion of universal dominion requires that
its leaders adulate and protect these politicians who are ready to
sell their soul, their honor for money and power ; that the Romanists
have taken on themselves the task of fighting free men in a manner
most impious; that they can not alter that policy; the pretension
that the salvation of the soul by which they deceive the inexpert,
depends on ceremonies, and not on the faith of humanity gives rise
to the discredit of morality in favor of the ritual; that the con-
fession degrades the confessor and the penitent ; that the channel of
worldliness which passes continually through the mind and the
heart of the Catholic priest, almost necessarily carries him to his
corruption, insofar as his instructions relax the moral level of the
devoted; that the necessity imposed by the confessional on the
priest, of labeling and classifying sins according to superficial
appearances brings him to all sorts of difficulties and contradictions.
If the priest would allow' that all powerful God, which they say
exists (invention for fools), to take sole charge of his most delicate
work, free from the bad practice of the spiritual quacks, a great
number of difficulties would be spared and several million sick souls
which the Catholics have sunk in darkness would have the oppor-
tunity to be cured. That the shame of having to confess ones sins
to a corrupt man frequently results in a real sadness and humilia-
tion plunging a free soul into inferiority complex, converting his
life into an eternal suffering. That this is a shame especially in
respect to women. That the theologians have elaborated a system of
specious reasoning which is not only ridiculous and vile, but terribly
corrupting. That the first frightful effect which the system pro-
duces is the corruption of the priests themselves. That the fact
that they hide, evade, deny, and are infuriated when this said
system of specious reasoning is exposed is clear evidence that they
112 UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
are already corrupted. That the system of specious reasoning is
argued out because it is founded on the so-called notes of saintliness.
That Catholicism must prevail or fall with its pretensions of saint-
liness and because its vaunted saintliness is only the blackest of
evils. That the very fact that the Catholics give themselves free
rein in their confusion on the revelations of the intrinsic evils of
their doctrines constitutes a death clink for the impious Christian
Catholic Church of Rome. That the ultimate plan of Romanism is
not moral character or salvation from the power and exercise of
sin, but salvation from a hell and an imaginary Catholic purgatory.
"We must add that it is not certain that Catholic theologians
authorize universal evil; for example, they do not teach that every
good Catholic has the privilege of stealing everything that he can
lay hand on, that they have certain rules for robbery, and that every-
thing must be practiced in accordance with these rules. Moreover,
they do not hold that faithful Catholics can or must lie all the time ;
it must be for a worthy motive. That Catholic theologians will frown
on a rash prevarication if it has no motive. But that these limitations
serve double purpose : to establish the authority of the holy fathers
as specialists in the art and science of lying and stealing, and at the
same time they give a place to a vestige of conscience which even the
Catholic spiritual guides cannot exterminate absolutely.
' ' We ought to say that if anyone doubts the practical effects of the
Catholic system of immorality, he has only to observe the fanaticism,
the pride, the obstinacy, the savage obduracy of the devout Catholics
when confronted by. genuine iniquities taught them by their leaders
with ostentation of authority and with perfect clarity. It seems
that the typical Catholic has some kink in the brain. This is his
argument: Catholicism cannot contain any error; therefore, it has
no error. Besides, if a thing is erroneous, it is not catholic, because
Catholicism cannot teach error.
' ' The refined hypocrisy of the Popes and Bishops of Catholicism
date from epochs quite remote. More than 200 said in substance the
following : ' Another of the papal skills is that after having founded
their own cause on so many falsehoods and having sustained them
with so many lying allegations in order to make the people believe
that we cultured and free men are liars and that nothing we say can
be believed, they accuse us of slandering the priests and of bearing
false witness to Catholics and for that reason no man must read our
books and converse with us nor believe us well-intentioned. They
forbid us free men from quoting their own Catholic writers, by
teaching ignorant people to say that we are slandering them.
Although we quote the book, the page, and the line and tell them
that those books are printed in Rome and not in the French Uni-
versity or in the Sorbonne, and that they were written by Catholic
writers, they do not believe us because the ignorant have been
instructed from the pulpits to take us for liars and incapable of
doing good. If we quote any one of the priests, they say we change
or corrupt what they have said or that they do not say such a thing.
If we show them the books published by their own doctors and
licensed by their superiors and printed by the papists, they force the
ignorant not to believe us, accusing us of falsification. '
UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA 113
"This situation which seems unreal, I have found in my journey
throughout Latin America. I have had conversation with cultural
elements Avhich seem not to be contaminated by religious fanaticism,
and in all seriousness they have wanted to oppose my ideas with these
futile arguments. I have come across workers and farmers, women,
comrades, and even professors, in whom one should expect a certain
degree of culture. These were in Valparaiso, Buenos Aires, Quito,
Antofogasts, and after listening to my lectures and after reporting
them to the priests in the confessionals, instructed by the priests,
they would approach me in all seriousness, and in blind faith ask
me for the salvation of my soul, requesting that I stop slandering the
poor old priests, that I cease corrupting their wholesome predictions,
that I leave off counterfeiting their texts, stop attacking the Catholic
Church and that with resigned repentance I go to ask pardon from
the parish curate or district priest. What must be done with cases
like these? Ignorance and credulity thus united on purpose are a
brass wall opposed to our efforts. With what hope will we be able
to speak to those who do not wish to hear us? Against that wall
there are no other arms except tenacity and patience. Avoid brusk
attitudes, persevere in faith, and work as if the obstinacies of those
minds submerged in a fanatical lethargy did not strike us. Already.
I have said that it is no easy task to bring to an end a labor like
the Catholic which has lasted 400 years in the soul and the mind of
the people. Fortunately, utilizing books, schools and all propaganda
facilities, infiltrating ourselves tenaciously in the fields, the unions,
seeking out the Indian even to his refuge in the forest or on top of
the mountains, entering the mind of the ignorant worker by means
of bulletins, of books, of leaders ' speeches, taking advantage of their
economic struggles, we must little by little go killing in them the
heritage of fanaticism which they received from their parents, from
their grandparents and their great grandparents. Under the pre-
text of culture, of learning, of civilization, of philosophy, and of the
modern sciences, we must launch attacks against religion.
' ' Fortunately for some time now there has been a change favorable
to our plans. That is to say, one half of the Catholics of the world
are more or less heretics. We must thank God for that. (Laughter) .
"In addition to those Catholics more or less susceptible to our
arguments, we have already a great number of free thinkers, of
atheists who are very susceptible of falling in the ranks of our sub-
ordinates as Communists because now they have no religious defense.
1 ' Our people ought to know that the extensive evil which is found
among Catholics is not the incidental result of abuse of a good
religion, but is a logical and necessary product of a religion whose
heart is rotten. Some of the possible consequences of the Catholic
moral theology would be tragic if they were not amusing. We take
for example, the doctrine of venial sin in stealing. The Catholics
give the rule that stealing, except what would be necessary to sustain
the family one day, is a venial sin for one who falls thus a victim,
and he goes to purgatory. (Laughter.) To steal more would be a
mortal sin, for which the delinquent one would go to hell, and never
would get out of there.
114 UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
"Let us suppose that a good Catholic on a dark night steals and
kills the goat of his neighbor in the belief that the animal is of ordi-
nary breed ; that the owner of the goat on the same night kills instan-
taneously the thief without giving him a chance to confess or to
receive that extreme unction of which the innocents boast so much.
(Laughter.) And let it be said that the goat was one of the finest
Angoras, and that it had a value greater than that necessary to sus-
tain for a day the family from which it was stolen. The poor but
faithful Catholic would be eternally lost, but without his knowing
it, and without having been able to repent before his priest. How
would the village priests answer this problem ? Surely they would
be unable to decipher it. This has happened on many occasions. I
set these simple examples before you because they are the best arms
to cast doubt, among the Indians, the workers, and the ignorant. I
suggest that you use simple examples like these, to sow doubt, because
they are the ones that give the best results.
Communist Conquest of the World
"It is conspicuous that the governments of Catholic countries
almost always are enemies of priests, because they know that they are
perfectly imbued with the theories of the Jesuits. Their idea (the
Jesuits) is that the Church is good although the priests are bad. The
governors and the presidents of Mexico and other Latin American
countries generally consider the Catholic priests as one of the great-
est obstacles to the progress of education and morality. In Spain
the same thing almost is true, in spite of the fact that Franco is con-
sidered one of the pillars of the Church ; but the Jesuits consider him
an enemy. In all South America there is sustained also the same
ancient struggle of free men, of the laymen against the priests. The
group of ignorant and degraded priests has much to do with the
weakness and illiteracy of the American Indians and since the United
States threw off the Spanish yoke, that country has demonstrated the
superiority of democracy and socialism over those countries dom-
inated by a conservative Catholicism and Jesuits. But, to conclude,
I wish to point out a very special case which may come to our aid.
The laws of the republics of this continent permit the freedom of
worship. In this form it is convenient for our authorities to permit
the entry into our countries of bodies of other religion, as the Mor-
mons, the Angelicans, Protestants, Buddhists, Jews, Mohammedans.
These sects are allowed to have their temples open and free. They
will help us to sow confusion in the minds of the Indians and
workers. They will help us to lose respect for religion. In this
manner, little by little, we shall infiltrate our theories of positivism
and individual and collective economy in order that the new genera-
tions will consider that all these religions are no more than garbage,
and must be cleared away as soon as possible in order to permit a
better life. It is suitable then, comrades, that we keep in mind these
orientations in order that when you return to your zones, you may
give instructions to your units on the form of combatting the poAver
of the Catholic Church, assisting the rest ; and that you may prepare
yourselves for the crusade which must carry us to triumph. The
road of salvation of Mexico only has one sure road. Let us prepare
ourselves for Mexico and Latin America to be ready to play a dom-
UN -AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA 115
inant role in the future Communist conquest of the world. From
this Nation let there go out the conquistadores (conquerors) to other
countries less prepared. Let Mexico convert herself into a centri-
fugal force for all this continent ; let Mexico be the country of free-
dom for the proletariat and the American Soviet. Let us launch
from here the first shout of freedom, and on hearing this battle cry,
this daring voice of our people, all the other peoples of America may
run immediately, raising very high the red and black banner of
social revindication. Our work is to aid, to aid more and more all
those in the Americas who fight for our Cause, to integrate all their
forces to the contribution of the struggle ; to organize a great political
movement of unity, which consolidated with the struggle of the
people and the Communist Patriots, faithful to the Fatherland of
the World Proletariat, faithful to the U. 8. 8. B., will impel us and
draw us to that glorious happy day which is about to arrive; the
radiant day of liberation for all the World which will arrive with
the overthrow of capitalism. Comrades, cheerio! (Applause and
shouts.)"
5
WRITERS' CONGRESS AT U. 0. L. A.
In late August of 1943, under the auspices of the University of Cali-
fornia at Los Angeles and the Hollywood Writers' Mobilization, a letter
signed by Marc Connelly and Ralph Freud as co-chairmen of the Con-
gress Committee, announced a Writers' Congress to be held at Royce
Hall, University of California, on the Los Angeles campus, October 1,
2 and 3, 1943. The fee for the entire Congress, including public meet-
ings, general meetings, lectures, panels and seminars, was set at $5,
payable in advance.
A superficial investigation of the project soon disclosed its Communist
inspiration and guidance. Every precaution had been taken in an
attempt to disguise the purpose of the Congress and the Communists
had gone further than usual in "window dressing" its committees.
Many of the names included in the Congress and advisory committees
were "innocents," clearly unaware of the Communist origin and pur-
pose of the Congress. NonCommunist news commentators and radio
personalities, blissfully ignorant of the nature and character of the
proposed Congress, were snagged under one pretense or another into
permitting their names to be used in advertising the Congress. The
chairman of the Joint Fact-Finding Committee on Un-American Activi-
ties checked with one such individual who expressed amazement when
he was told that his name was included on the printed letterhead as
a member of the advisory committee.
The letter is as follows :
"Dear Writer: The Writers Congress on the Los Angeles Cam-
pus of the University of California will conduct a search for greater
usefulness and will seek to establish firmer international under-
standing of democratic objectives by professional writers in all
media.
116 UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
The Congress is being organized by joint committees of the Uni-
versity of California and the Hollywood Writers Mobilization.
The latter was formed immediately after Pearl Harbor to channel
the war efforts of the eight writers' guilds of the West Coast. It
cooperates constantly with our armed services, the Red Cross, the
0. W. I. and other governmental agencies, as well as many non-
political, civilian organizations requiring professional writing for
motion pictures, , the radio, newspapers and magazines, camp
shows, etc.
Writers must understand recent enormous changes in techniques
as well as basic social and political concepts if they are to communi-
cate the virtues of these changes and expose their faults. The Con-
gress offers its facilities for such an understanding.
The speakers and leaders of discussions in the panels and seminars
will be outstanding writers from all the United Nations. Many
will represent governmental and semi-governmental agencies.
Others of international distinction will speak only for themselves.
The Invitations Committee hopes you will be able to participate.
We have therefore enclosed an application card for your conven-
ience. If you will be kind enough to fill this out and return it to
the Congress Committee officers, your name will be registered.
Further details of the Congress Agenda are being forwarded to you.
Sincerely,
(Signed) Marc Connelly
Ralph Freud
Co-chairmen, Congress Committee"
The following names were printed on the letterhead as members of
the Congress Committee :
Marc Connelly, Ralph Freud,
Francis Edwards Faragoh, Sidney Buchman,
Gustave Arlt, Fox Case,
Bill Blowitz, William Dozier,
Richard Collins, John B. Hughes,
Franklin Fearing, Joris Ivens,
Paul Franklin Stephen Longstreet,
Sheridan Gibney, Kenneth MacGowan,
Talbot Jennings, Mary C. McCall, Jr.,
Howard Koch, William Morris, Jr.
John Howard Lawson, Dudley Nichols,
Melvin Levy, Carl Sandburg,
Alfred E. Longueil, Dore Schary,
Milton Merlin, Arthur Schwartz,
Joseph Mischel, Robert G. Sproul,
Sam Moore, Rex Stout,
Arch Oboler, Lamar Trotti,
William Oliver, Walter Wanger,
H. R. Reynolds, Walter White,
Allen Rivkin, Pauline Lauber Finn,
Robert Rossen, Jane Mead.
Zachary Schwartz,
UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA 117
The guilds participating in the Hollywood Writers Mobilization, under
the chairmanship of Robert Rossen, were listed as follows :
Screen Writers Guild, Screen Cartoonists Guild,
Radio Writers Guild, American Newspaper Guild,
Screen Publicists Guild, Independent Publicists,
Screen Readers Guild, Song Writers Protective Assn.
Although the "window" for the Writers' Congress "front" was
carefully dressed, a number of the persons acting as "committeemen"
were known. Francis Edward Faragoh is a prominent member of the
left-wing group of Hollywood and promotes the cause of the Soviet
Union and meets with Soviet visitors in Los Angeles. Richard Collins
was registered as a Communist in Los Angeles in 1936 from 2106 North
Las Palmas Avenue. The "People's Daily World" for August 30,
1941, announced that Collins was one of the sponsors for a state-wide
conference on civil rights to be held in San Francisco September 27,
1941, protesting the "Tenney Committee and the Tenney bill outlaw-
ing the Communist Party." Paul Franklin was the executive secre-
tary of the National Radio Writers' Guild in New York in January
of 1942. Howard Koch was reported by the "People's Daily World"
(June 26, 1943) as the author of the screen version of Davies' book
"Mission to Moscow." He presented his views on the authenticity of
the film at a League of American Writers (Communist front organiza-
tion) symposium on Sunday, June 27, 1943, in Hollywood. William
Oliver was the dramatic editor of the "Los Angeles Herald" in 1940.
He was said to be a member of Unit 140 of the Professional Section of
the Communist Party when Rena Vale was a member of that Unit.
He was also a member of the Communist fraction of the Newspaper
Guild. (See pages 153 and 154 of the report of the Joint F act-Finding
Committee on Tin- American Activities in California for 1943.) Allen
Rivkin is a Hollywood left-wing writer. He was a member of the Anti-
Nazi League. His name has been used from time to time for "window-
dressing" Communist front organizations and activities.
Sidney Buchman is a screen writer and a member of the Screen Writers'
Guild. He was announced as a signer for the Third American Writers'
Congress in "Direction" magazine for May-June, 1939. Joris Ivens is
reported to have made documentary films in Spain and China which were
distributed and exhibited through Communist Party channels in Califor-
nia and the United States. Dudley Nichols was the President of the
Writers' Guild in Hollywood in 1938. His name was carried on the
letterhead of the Hollywood Anti-Nazi League for the Defense of
American Democracy (Communist front organization) as a sponsor in
May of 1939. He is a Hollywood screen writer. On January 21, 1940,
he was a sponsor for the Conference for Democratic Action in Fresno.
He has permitted his name to be used for various Communist front
organizations and activities from time to time and has taken part in
many Communist dominated programs. In 1941 he was a sponsor of
the Citizens Committee for Harry Bridges. In May of 1941, he signed
a call for the Fourth American Writers' Congress.
118 UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
The committee and Communist Party members consider John How-
ard Lawson one of the most important Marxist strategists in Southern
California. Rena M. Vale (former Communist Party member), stated
that she knew Lawson as a member of the Communist Party fraction of
the Screen Writers' Guild in Hollywood. Miss Vale stated that he had
given advice on the Communist Party program in the writing of the
play, "Sun Rises in the West." He wrote the screen play "Blockade"
which advanced the Communist Party line. John Leech, former sec-
retary of the Communist Party for Los Angeles County, testified before
the Los Angeles County Grand Jury (94369; 8-15-40) that Lawson
had been sent from New York to Hollywood by the Central Committee
cf the Communist Party in company with V. J. Jerome (Isaac Romaine) ,
a member of the Communist Party National Committee. Lawson had
immediately become active in Hollywood Study Clubs and in the Com-
munist fraction of studio unions, particularly in the Screen Writers'
Guild. Leech stated that Lawson had met Communist Party members
at the home of Communists Davida and Fred Franchi. In May of
1937 Lawson was reported as Secretary of the American office for Tech-
nical Aid to Spanish Democracy. He became a dominant figure in
Communist Party drama groups and attended Communist Party frac-
tion meetings in New York and Hollywood. He was one of the spon-
sors of the Citizens Committee for the Defense of Harry Bridges and a
frequent speaker for the League of American Writers. He signed the
call for the Fourth American Writers' Congress. He was an instructor
in the American League Writers' School and became Vice President of
the League of American Writers' Congress. In the fall elections of
1942 he appeared in a paid advertisement in the Los Angeles Times
as an endorser of La Rue McCormick, Communist candidate for elec-
tion to the State Senate. He answered attacks on the film "Mission
to Moscow" before the League of American Writers.
HISTORY OF COMMUNIST PARTY WRITERS' CONGRESSES
The Revolutionary Writers' Federation was the American Section
of Moscow's Communist "International Union of Revolutionary Writ-
ers" (of the International Bureau of Revolutionary Literature) . The
Workers' Cultural Federation was an outgrowth of this organization,
in reality, an amalgamation of Communist revolutionary cultural
groups composed of at least 130 societies. The Revolutionary Writers'
Federation included the John Reed Club writers' group, Proletpen,
Hungarian Proletarian Writers', Worker Correspondence Association,
Japanese Cultural Federation, Finnish Cultural Federation, Lithu-
anian Literary Dramatic Club, Jack London Club, Pen and Hammer
Club and Student Review. The Workers' Cultural Federation adopted
the slogan "Toward an American Revolution." On November 15,
.1930, the Second Conference of the International Union of Revolu-
tionary Writers was held in Kharkov, Russia. The American delegates
were instructed to form a National organization of revolutionary writ-
ers and artists upon their return to the United States. (Daily Worker.
December 6, 1930.) Among the American delegates at this conference
UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA 119
were Fred Ellis, Michael Gold, William Gropper, Joshua Kunitz, A. B.
Magil and Harry Allan Potamkin.
Pursuant to the directives of the Kharkov Conference, a meeting
was held in. New York City on June 14, 1931, out of which emerged
the Workers' Cultural Federation. An honorary Presidium was elected,
among whom were Maxim Gorki and N. Krupskaya (Lenin's widow),
U.S.S.R. ; Ludwig Renn of Germany ; Henri Barbusse of France ; Tomas
of Hungary ; Lo Hsun of China and Theodore Dreiser, John Dos Passos,
Upton Sinclair and William Z. Foster of the United States. William
Gropper, Alexander Trachtenberg (Communist Workers' Library pub-
lisher), R. B. Glassford, Michael Gold, K. Marmor, J. Shafer, A. B.
Magil, Harry Allen Potamkin and T. H. Li, a Chinese Communist,
(held at that time for deportation), were elected to an active Presidium.
Headquarters for the organization was established at 63 West 15th
Street, New York City. The John Reed Club and "New Masses" maga-
zine were at the same address and it was designated by the "New Masses"
as "The first American Revolutionary Center."
A cablegram from Moscow was read at the June 14, 1931, conference
which said, in part:
"International Union Revolutionary Writers Welcomes Launch-
ing of Federation Workers' Cultural Organizations America Stop
. . . Before Federation Stands Task of Creating Proletarian
Culture in Womb of Capitalist System Stop Launching Federa-
tion Is Most Significant Event in History American Revolution-
ary Culture," etc.
Whitaker Chambers, Charles Yale Harrison, Melvin P. Levy, Harry
Alan Potamkin and K. Wallace were among the American writers serving
on the 1932 staff of the International Union of Revolutionary Writers.
In August of 1932, "Literary Service," edited by Keene Wallis of the
John Reed Club, made its appearance as a monthly publication of the
International Union of Revolutionary Writers. Indicative of the type
of ' ' cultural literature ' ' is the following poem by the Communist Negro
poet, Langston Hughes :
Goodbye Christ
"Listen, Christ,
You did alright in your day, I reckon —
But that day's gone now.
They ghosted you up a swell story too,
Called it Bible—
But its dead now.
The popes and the preachers've
Made too much money from it.
They've sold you to too many.
"Kings, generals, robbers and killers —
Even to the Czar and the Cossacks,
Even to Rockefeller's church,
Even to The Satnrdav Evening Post.
120 UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
You ain't no good no more.
They've pawned you
Till you've done wore out.
"Goodbye,
Christ Jesus Lord God Jehova,
Beat it on away from here now.
Make way for a new guy with no religion at all —
A real guy named
Marx, Communist Lenin, Peasant Stalin, Worker Me —
"I said, Me !
"Go ahead on now,
You're getting in the way of things, Lord.
And please take Saint Ghandi with you when you go,
And Saint Pope Pius,
And Saint Aimie McPherson,
And big black Saint Becton
Of the Consecrated Dime.
And step on the gas, Christ !
Move!
Don't be so slow about movin' !
The world is mine from now on —
And nobody's gonna sell Me
To a king, or a general,
Or a millionaire."
American writers serving on the 1933 staff of the International Union
of Revolutionary Writers, included Upton Sinclair, Michael Gold, A.
Magil, John Dos Passos, Emjo Basshe, Walter Carmon, Theodore Drei-
ser, Fred Ellis, Ed Falkowski, Joseph Freeman, Josephine Herbst, Lang-
ston Hughes, Joseph Kalar, Joshua Kunitz, Louis Lozowick, Norman
MacLeod, Myra Page, Horace Gregory, Agnes Smedley, Mary Heaton
Vorse, Jack Conroy, John Hermann and Herman Spector.
The John Reed Clubs were named in honor of the so-called "first
American Communist," John Reed. These clubs were affiliates of the
International Union of the Revolutionary Theatre and a section of the
Communist International Union of Revolutionary Writers. The New
York John Reed Club, formerly at 430 6th Avenue, organized the
Workers' Cultural Federation with which all John Reed branches were
affiliated.
THE FIRST AMERICAN WRITERS' CONGRESS AND THE BIRTH
OF THE LEAGUE OF AMERICAN WRITERS
The call for the first American Writers' Congress suggested the for-
mation of the League of American Writers and boldly stated that the
organization to be formed would be "affiliated with the International
Union of Revolutionary Writers." It declared that the Congress "Will
provide technical discussion of the literary applications of Marxist
philosophy and of the relations between critic and creator. ' '
UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
121
The objective of the Congress was further stated in the proceedings :
"We believe such a Congress should create the League of American
Writers, affiliated with the International Union of Revolutionary
Writers. In European countries the International Union of Revolution-
ary Writers is in the vanguard of literature and political action. ' '
The ' ' call ' ' was signed by the following :
Nelson Algren,
Arnold B. Armstrong,
Nathan Asch,
Maxwell Bodenheim,
Thomas Boyd,
Earl Browder,
Bob Brown,
Fielding Burke,
Kenneth Burke,
Robert Coates,
Erskine Caldwell,
Alan Calmer,
Robert Cantwell,
Lester Cohen,
Jack Conroy,
Malcolm Cowley,
Theodore Dreiser,
Edward Dahlberg,
Guy Endore,
James T. Farrell,
Kenneth Fearing,
Ben Field,
Waldo Frank,
Joseph Freeman,
Michael Gold,
Eugene Gordon,
Horace Gregory,
Henry Hart,
Clarence Hathaway,
Josephine Herbst,
Robert Herrick,
Granville Hicks,
Langston Hughes,
Orrick Johns,
Arthur Kallet,
Lincoln Kirstein,
Herbert Kline,
Joshua Kunitz,
John Howard Lawson,
Tillie Lerner,
Meridel Le Sueur,
Melvin Levy,
Robert Morss Lovett,
Louis Lozowick,
Grace Lumpkin,
Lewis Mumford,
Edward Newhouse,
Joseph North,
Moussaye J. Olgin,
Samuel Ornitz,
Myra Page,
John Dos Passos,
Paul Peters,
Allen Porter,
Harold Preece,
William Rollins, Jr.,
Paul Romaine,
Isidor Schneider,
Edwin Seaver,
Claire Sifton,
Paul Sifton,
George Sklar,
John L. Spivak,
Lincoln Steffens
Philip Stevenson,
Genevieve Taggard,
Alexander Trachtenberg,
Nathaniel West,
Ella Winter,
Richard Wright.
It will be noted that John Howard Lawson and Melvin Levy were
listed as signing the call for the First Writers' Congress in New York
City. Both men have been active in subsequent Writers' Congresses
and appear as members of the committee for the Writers' Congress
which was held on the Los Angeles Campus of the University of Cali-
fornia, October 1, 2 and 3, 1943.
The committee is in possession of a photostatic copy of the proceedings
of the First American Writers' Congress. The most naive spectator
122 UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
and quarter-witted participant of this first Writers' Congress could not
have been deceived as to its Communist revolutionary character.
A report by Moissaye J. Olgin, author of "Why Communism?" (one
of the most inflammatory and revolutionary pieces of modern Communist
literature in existence), was read to the Congress. The report was on
the First All-Union Congress of Soviet Writers, and glorified Karl Radek
and Nikolai Bukharin, old Bolsheviks who were ' ' liquidated ' ' by Stalin 's
purge in 1937-38.
Joseph Freeman, under the heading "The Tradition of American
Revolutionary Literature," stated:
"These ideas were prevalent in left-wing literary circles in this
country in the early twenties. During the boom period, many
intellectuals who had allied themselves with the workers under the
impact of the war and the October Revolution, were absorbed into
the then prosperous middle classes. A small group of left-wing
writers, influenced by the Communist movement as their predeces-
sors had been influenced by the socialist and syndicalist movements,
agitated for a revolutionary art and literature in America. Condi-
tions imposed upon them a task which was primarily propagandistic,
educational, organizational. They wrote, lectured and organized
with a view to circulating basic Marxian ideas in literature. They
founded the New Masses, the Theatre Union, the New Theatre,
Partisan Review, the John Reed Clubs, the Film and Foto League ;
they taught literature in the Workers' School and wrote about it
in the Daily Worker, partly to acquaint the workers with con-
temporary literature, partly to acquaint writers with the viewpoint
of the workers and its significance for culture in general and litera-
ture in particular. They developed young poets, critics, journal-
ists and novelists who subsequently did creative work of distinc-
tion. They published and encouraged revolutionary writers not
only in New York, but also in the Middle West, the Coast, the South,
among them talented Negro writers like Langston Hughes and
Eugene Gordon. In doing so, they were not — as their enemies
said — importing a Russian idea imposed upon them by the Kremlin.
They were developing in their own country an international idea
as old as the proletarian party — an idea that had its own specific
American traditions."
John Howard Lawson and Waldo Frank were dominant figures in
the Congress. Clarance Hathaway was, at the time of the Congress,
editor of the Communist Party New York publication, the Daily Worker.
Hathaway was enthusiastic about the Congress and expressed himself
in the following language:
"I greet this Congress of writers in the name of the entire staff
of the Daily Worker. From the outset of the preparations of
your Congress the Daily Worker has given the closest attention to
preliminaries required to bring together the cream of American
writers. We have run all of the advanced material on the Con-
gress, and many articles dealing with it, and the action it must take
to advance the struggle against war and Fascism. The Daily
UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA 123
Worker did so, because, as the organ of the Communist Party of the
United States, it was conscious that we must not only win the over-
whelming mass of the American workers and farmers for the revo-
lutionary position, but that the writer, the intellectual generally,
and the middle class, must be made active allies of the working class
in its struggle against Capitalism. ' '
Congratulatory telegrams and cablegrams were received from leading
Communists. Karl Radek sent the following cablegram from Russia :
' ' We, the Congress of Soviet Writers, extend our brotherly hand
to all of the writers who are on the road toward us, no matter how
far they still are from us, and if only we see in them a will and a
wish to help the working class in its struggle to help the Soviet
Union. We say to them : the best aid you can render us will be
that you place yourselves shoulder to shoulder with the working
class of your country, with its revolutionary minority. ' '
Waldo Frank was so enthusiastic that he imagined the "revolution"
right around the corner. Speaking on the "Values of the Revolutionary
Writer," he declares:
"My premise and the premise of the majority of writers here
assembled is that Communism must come, and must be fought for.
If a writer doubts this, I doubt he is an artist ; and I doubt he is a
Marxist. If we believe that Communism is the organic next step
of the world to be released by freeing the world 's forces of wealth,
we must believe in the art of revealing man's depths which bear
this destiny. We will embody in our work the substance of life;
the blood, the bone, the eye, the conscious embrace of necessity
whose child is freedom — knowing that insofar as we create this truth,
we are moving, and moving those who hear us, toward the Revo-
lution. ' '
Edwin Seaver discussed the "Proletarian Novel," and in attempting
to distinguish between his subject and its bourgeois prototype, he broke
down and came to cases. "What are we here for?" he cried. "What
do we believe in? The fight against war and fascism? True enough.
But this is largely a negative statement. Are we not here because we
believe in forming a new and Communist ideology within the shell of
the old and decaying capitalist society, because we seek the way out of
capitalist anarchy toward that socialist order which is now in the process
of construction in the Soviet Union, because in essence we subscribe to
the Marxian revolutionary analysis of historical change?"
As might well be expected, Earl Browder, Secretary of the Communist
Party of the United States, was one of the speakers. He said, in part :
"Writers who are coming into this cultural stream are tradition-
ally not interested in political life and problems. In their vast
majority they are skeptical of all political parties, if not contemp-
tuous. They find, however, in the new life in which they participate,
there is a political party which plays an increasingly influential role,
the Communist Party. They find it necessary to define their atti-
124 UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
tude toward this Party which actively participates in their chosen
world. They see that this Party is a force in fine literature, as well
as in strikes, in unemployment struggles, in battling for Negro
rights, even in a reactionary Congress where it rallied through mass
pressure 52 votes for the Workers' Insurance Bill without having a
single Communist congressmen — as yet. Yes, the Communist Party
is a force, in every phase of life of the masses, even that of poets,
dramatists, novelists and critics.
' ' We are all of us bound together, forced to work out our common
problems collectively, by the menace of a common enemy which
threatens to destroy everything that we hold dear. The fight against
reaction, against fascism in the inner life of nations and against
imperalist war internationally, is our common bond . . . We are
not alone. We have brothers in every land. We have a mighty
stronghold in this battle, in the land where socialism is being built,
where a new culture is blossoming — the Soviet Union. This for-
tress against reaction is at this time our greatest protection against
the wave of reaction sweeping the world. We must protect it as it
protects us. . . .
"It is with these thoughts that the Communist Party greets this
historic Congress of American Writers. We are all soldiers, each
in our own place, in a common cause. Let our efforts be united in
fraternal solidarity. ' '
Langston Hughes, already referred to, called for immediate violent
revolution in verse. His contribution is as follows :
Revolution
' ' Great mob that knows no f ear
Come here !
And raise your hand
Against this man
Of iron and steel and gold
Who's bought and sold
You
Each one
For the last thousand years.
' ' Come here,
Great mob that knows no fear,
And tear him from limb to limb,
Slit his golden throat
Ear to ear,
And end his time forever
Now —
This year —
Great mob that knows no fear. ' '
Eugene Clay, in "The Negro in Recent American Literature," states
that Richard Wright's poem "I Have Seen Black Hands" is one of the
UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA 125
finest poems that has appeared in the "New Masses". It is partly as
follows :
"lam black and I have seen black hands
Raised in fists of revolt, side by side with the white fists of white
workers,
And some day — and it is only this which sustains me —
Some day there shall be millions and millions of them,
On some red day in a burst of fists on a new horizon ! ' '
Moishe Nadir, following the Communist line of the day, placed Presi-
dent Roosevelt and Hitler side by side as hirelings of the ' ' war-mongers. ' '
"The proletarian writer of today," he declared, "must above all
unceasingly call attention to the fact that the old war-mongers of the
Stinnes, Morgan, Deterding, DuPont and Krupp stamp, as well as their
hirelings, Wotan, Hitler, Father Coughlin, Brother Roosevelt, are once
more plotting to rid themselves of the 'over-production' of laboring men,
by dumping them into the hell fires of the coming imperialist war, a
most ' convenient ' way, no doubt, of liquidating the contradictions inher-
ent in capitalist economy." Comrade Nadir insisted that they all love
America. "Above all," he said fervently and in italics, "We love
America as one of the most beautiful flowers in the bouquet of the world
Soviets of tomorrow. ' '
John Howard Lawson kept the proceedings moving toward the pre-
determined objective. He reminded the assembled writers ' ' that detailed
technical analysis is the most urgent need of Marxist criticism." He
was aware that the revolution was not quite as close as Waldo Frank
believed, and that Communist Party strategists had much yet to accom-
plish. The organization of the League of American Writers was the
principle objective of the First American Writers' Congress. When this
momentous event had taken place Lawson reminded the delegates of the
work ahead. ' ' This is a very solemn moment, ' ' he said. ' ' Exciting and
stimulating and important as the proceedings of this Congress have been,
we now enter on a much more serious task — the actual carrying out of the
permanent development and growth of the Congress. I think that if
there is one thing more than anything else that has been impressibly
demonstrated at these meetings, it is the depth and breadth and magni-
tude of the tasks of the working class, of the Revolutionary movement. ' '
When the applause of the final session died down, James Farrell arose
and suggested the singing of the International. The concluding sentence
of the photostatic copy of the report of the proceedings in the possession
of the committee states that: "This was done."
The League of American Writers was born. Before the final session
of the First Writers' Congress came to a close, Jack Conroy announced
to the delegates that the nominating committee had named for its head,
126
UN-AMERICAN" ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
Waldo Frank. The nomination was unanimously
executive committee elected is as follows:
approved. The
Kenneth Burke,
Malcolm Cowley,
Joseph Freeman,
Henry Hart,
Granville Hicks,
Alfred Kreymborg,
Albert Maltz,
Edwin Seaver,
Alexander Traehtenberg,
Harold Clurman,
Waldo Frank,
Michael Gold,
Josephine Herbst,
Matthew Josephson,
John Howard Lawson.
Isidar Schneider,
Genevieve Taggard,
National Council was then elected composed of the following
Nelson Algren,
Maxwell Bodenheim,
Michael Blankfort,
Van Wyck Brooks,
Sterling Brown,
Alan Calmer,
Harry Carlisle,
Merle Colby,
Edward Dahlberg,
James T. Farrell,
Angel Flores,
Robert Herrick,
Orrick Johns,
Tillie Lerner,
Robert Morss Lovett,
Lewis Mumford,
Clifford Odets,
Joseph Opatoshu,
Rebecca Pitts,
George Sklar,
Lincoln Steffens,
Richard Wright,
Fielding Burke,
Robert Cantwell,
Eugene Clay,
Jack Conroy,
Leonard Ehrlich,
Kenneth Fearing,
Horace Gregory,
Sidney Howard,
Joshua Kunitz,
Meridel Le Sueur,
Grace Lumpkin,
Moishe Nadir,
M. J. Olgin,
Paul Peters,
William Rollins, Jr.,
Agnes Smedley,
James Waterman Wise.
The first American Writers' Congress became a thing of the past as
the last note of the "International" faded away, a memorable milestone
in the Red history of the United States. The League of American Writ-
ers carried on the work of the Congress, calling new Congresses as often
as Communist Party strategy demanded. The second American Writ-
ers' Congress was held in 1937. The same Communist influences and
domination were present at its sessions.
UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IX CALIFORNIA
127
The Third Congress was held in New York City June 2, 3, 4, 1939.
The call was signed by the following :
Benjamin Appel,
Newton Arvin,
Helen Merrell Lynd,
Kenneth Fearing,
Arthur D. Ficke,
Millen Brand,
Joseph Freeman,
Mauritz Hallgren,
Dorothy Parker,
Van Wyck Brooks,
Genevieve Taggard,
Dubose Hey ward,
Erskine Caldwell,
Katherine 6. Chapin,
Alfred Kreymborg,
John Wexley,
Muriel Rukeyser,
Vida D. Scudder,
Edwin Seaver,
John Howard Lawson,
Donald Ogden Stewart,
Viola Brothers Shore,
Guy Endore,
Henry Pratt Fairchild,
Albert Bein,
Bruce Minton,
Ruth McKenney,
Marjorie Fischer,
Harvey O'Connor,
S. J. Perelman,
Leland Stowe,
Frederick Prokosch,
Lorine Pruette,
Samuel Putnam,
W. L. River,
Jess Kimbrough,
Humphrey Cobb,
Lester Cohen,
Ella Winter,
Richard Wright,
Stanley Young,
Leane Zugsmith,
Meyer Levin,
Nora Benjamin,
Francis Faragoh,
Tess Slessinger,
Philip Stevenson,
Carey Mc Williams,
Irving Stone,
Dorothy Brewster,
Henry Hart,
Sidney Buchman,
Frank Tuttle,
Jean Starr Untermeyer,
Ralph Roeder,
Arthur Kober,
Malcolm Cowley,
George Dillon,
Muriel Draper,
Philip Dunne,
Vincent Sheean,
Upton Sinclair,
Albert Maltz,
Aline Bernstein,
Bessie Breuer,
Louis Bromfield,
Daniel Fuchs,
James Thurber,
Lillian Hellman,
Kenneth Burke,
Eugene Holmes,
Louis Untermeyer,
Carl Van Doren,
Harold J. Rome,
Joshua Kunitz,
David Lamson,
Jesse Lasky, Jr.,
Irwin Shaw.
Waldo Frank was myteriously absent from the Third American Writ-
ers' Congress. Eugene Lyons, in his book The Red Decade, clears up
the mystery. "As a footnote to the story," says Mr. Lyons, "I offer
in exhibit Mr. Waldo Frank. When Mr. Frank exchanged his private
mysticism for the fashionable mysticism of the Muscovite aberration,
he was hailed as a hero in the Communist press. He was made chair-
man of one of the principal planets in Stalin 's solar system, the League
of American Writers. All went well until the Soviet bloodletting touched
Mr. Frank's conscience. He wrote a letter to the New Republic sug-
lL'S UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
gesting an international labor and socialist inquiry into the whole mat-
ter. Immediately his services to the cause were forgotten and his name
was mud. He had committed the deadly sin of doubting. When the
next American Writers' Congress foregathered, he was mysteriously
missing. Let the innocent literati who continued to claim that the
League and its Congresses were independent, explain the technique by
which Waldo Frank was eliminated after his slip, and his place taken bv
one of Hollywood's best, Donald Ogden Stewart."
The first Pacific Congress of "American Writers," a direct attempt of
the Communist League of American Writers to extend the original plan
to West Coast left-wing writers, was held in San Francisco October 23,
24, 25, 1936. Using the same technique as that so successfully used in
the First American Writers' Congress, the Pacific Coast Congress gave
birth to the Pacific Coast branch of the League of American Writers.
This branch was headed by Carey Mc Williams and Clara Weatherwax.
Haakon Chevalier was reported as one of the most active members of the
Committee in San Francisco.
The Hitler-Stalin Pact, the rape of Poland and the Soviet invasion of
Finland created a furious retreat of literary ' ' innocents, ' ' parlor-pinks
and cocktail revolutionaries who had permitted their names to be used for
the Calls of the Writers Congresses. As a result the Fourth Congress,
held in New York early in June of 1941, was a dismal affair, attended
only by such stalwarts as Donald Ogden Stewart, Dashiell Hammett,
John Howard Lawson and Dudley Nichols. Orson Welles and a num-
ber of obscure writers were recruited for this Congress by Communist
scouts after much barrel-scraping. The dubious "Oscar" of leadership
of the League of American Writers passed from Donald Ogden Stewart
to Dashiell Hammett.
Alexander Trachtenberg has been a Communist functionary since the
Communist Party was organized in the United States in 1919. John
Howard Lawson is considered something more than a mere "function-
ary" of the Communist Party. He is held in reverential awe by ordi-
nary Communist Party members. Alexander Trachtenberg, head of
the Workers' Library Publishers, Inc., is regarded as the leader of the
agit- prop (agitational propaganda) division of the American Commu-
COMMUNIST RIGHT-ABOUT FACE
The sixth period of Communist strategy in the United States was
launched in a cloud of confusion June 22, 1941. American Communist
strategists were in a dither attempting to adjust their Marxian spectacles
for a peep into the crystal ball of world events for a "scientific" and
"materialistic" interpretation of history. They were pathetically
bewildered until directives arrived from the oracle in Moscow's Krem-
lin. The Leninistic "sharp turn" was not only "sharp" and breath-
taking; it was practically a hair-pin turn. Many of the Comrades
bringing up the rear were nearly stomped to death as the "vanguard of
the proletariat" executed the death-defying maneuver. It took a little
time to reform the ragged ranks of the confused proletariat and to
restore order and discipline. New names, costumes and credentials had
to be prepared. It ordinarily takes time to change from the role of a
wild-eyed revolutionist, mobilizing inferiority-complexed literary men
for red hack-writing, to an American patriot mobilizing the literati for
UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA 120
its war efforts against a common enemy. John Howard Lawson, Alex-
ander Trachtenberg and the hierarchy of Communist strategists were
equal to the task. Once the program was formulated, new names sup-
plied and credentials cleverly manufactured, ''innocents," fellow-trav-
elers and trembling opportunists were easily found. It would be done
with Hollywood trappings, at a State institution of higher learning and
to the strains of the Star Spangled Banner instead of the International.
Stalinistic " power-plays ' ', Leninistic "sharp-turns", Marxist dialectic
and the materialistic interpretation of history would be subtly explained
and reconciled under the benevolent noses of naive "progressive" pro-
fessors while the "capitalistic" press paid tribute and homage to the
Hollywood setting for the launching of the new Communist "line."
John Howard Lawson was not quite so skillful with the Joint Fact-
Finding Committee as he is reputed to be with Communist devotees. He
testified that he had come from New York City and that he had resided
in Southern California for approximately 15 years. He admitted
attending the First Writers' Congress in New York in 1035, that he had
spoken at some of its sessions, contributed articles and that he had been
acquainted with Alexander Trachtenberg for many years. When asked
whether or not he had ever heard of the Second Conference of the Inter-
national Union of Revolutionary Writers at Kharkov, Russia, he replied :
"I have heard it mentioned in relation to certain charges made by this
committee in regard to the Writers' Congress in 1043." The answer
might have been cleverly evasive if the photostatic copies of the proceed-
ings o,f the First Writers' Congress in possession of the committee did
not reveal that the League of American Writers, to be created by the
Congress, was to be "affiliated with the International Union of Revolu-
tionary Writers." Lawson had signed the call. He stated that he had
probably met Clarence Hathaway but that he could not place him at the
time of testifying. This "evasiveness" might have been successfully
practiced on the members of the committee if it had not been in possession
of documentary evidence that Lawson was a staff writer on the New
York Daily Worker, East Coast Communist publication, at the time that
Clarence Hathaway edited the publication. His memory conveniently
failed him at times.
" * * * Do you recall that the congress," Mr. Combs
asked, "the one we were talking about, closed with the singing of
the International — or did it ? "
' ' I have no idea, ' ' Mr. Lawson replied. ' ' I presume it did, but
I don't know."
' ' Why do you presume it did ? ' '
"Because I also saw some charges that were made by this com-
mittee previously in which the statement was made, and I assumed
you had some basis for the statement. It is very likely true."
The official proceedings of the Congress (p. 12) concludes with the
following: "When the applause died down James Farrell arose and
suggested that the Congress conclude its final session by singing the
International. This was done."
Lawson admitted knowing James Farrell for approximately 12 years.
Lawson admitted that he was familiar with the League of American
Writers and that it had been created by the First American Writers'
130 UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
Congress. He stated that he was a member of the National Executive
Committee and that at the time of testifying (1944) he was serving in
the capacity of national vice-president, which office he had held for
six or seven years.
Carl Winter was chairman of the Communist Party of Los Angeles
County until the party changed its name to the Communist Political
Association of California. When the change was effected Winter held
a comparable office in the "Association" and Max Silver became secre-
tary. Lawson admitted being acquainted with both Winter and Silver.
He had been a guest, together with Max Silver and others, at Carl Win-
ter's birthday party. Lawson had no desire to stress his association with
these official functionaries of the Communist Party. (Com. Tr., Vol.
XXIII, pp. 150-151) :
Q. By Combs : Did you ever meet with Silver and Mr. Winter
on any other occasions ?
A. Not that I recall, no.
Q. It is possible you may have met with them and forgotten?
A. I may have met them in certain social gatherings, but I don 't
remember it.
Q. Around at people's houses from time to time you may have
met them ?
A. It's possible. It was so casual I have forgotten it.
Q. You have known each of them for approximately the same
period of time, have you ?
A. Yes.
HOLLYWOOD WRITERS' MOBILIZATION
As heretofore reported by the committee, the Japanse attack at Pearl
Harbor December 7, 1941, supplied the impetus for Communist strategy
made necessary by Germany's attack on Soviet Russia in June of that
year. For the first time a Communist slogan meant something to Ameri-
can ears. "Unity" in the war effort for victory made sense and the
Communist Party launched the slogan fully cognizant that it gave them
a supreme advantage in revised strategy. Under this convenient guise
of "unity" Communist Party functionaries went to work on the crea-
tion of a series of new "front" groups. The Hollywood Writers' Mobil-
ization, allegedly composed of the guilds connected with the
motion picture industry, was one of the first to emerge. John Howard
Lawson appeared to be the dominating figure in the creation of the
"Mobilization," assisted by Robert Rossen and Marc Connelly. The
alleged purpose of the organization, under the guise of assisting the
war effort, was to provide scripts, speeches, skits, plays and similar
material for bond drives and similar activities. Its true purpose, of
course, was the creation of a clearing house for Communist propaganda.
Strategy for "Window Dressing" Congress
By 1943 the Hollywood Writers' Mobilization had attracted a con-
siderable membership. It is not to be assumed that the members of Com-
munist front organizations are all Communists or that the majority of
them are remotely interested in Communism or sympathetic to it. Quite
the reverse is true, as the committee pointed out in its 1943 Report. The
bait used by Communists in snagging innocents into ' ' front ' ' organiza-
UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA 131
tions is considerably varied. The so-called "intellectual" appears to
be easy prey for Communist functionaries. All of the planning is done
in closed Communist meetings. Steering committees are created and
fellow-travelers are contacted. Innocents are then snagged for "win-
dow-dressing" and committees are then selected for the job in hand.
The usual procedure was followed in the creation of the Hollywood
Writers' Mobilization and the Writers' Congress. John Howard Law-
son and Marc Connelly contacted the University of California in "West-
wood and successfully solicited the assistance of Professor Ralph Freud
of the Dramatic Department. Reinforced by Freud the three men
called upon the chairman of the English Department with the proposal
that the University join with the Hollywood Writers' Mobilization in
sponsoring the American Writers' Congress at the University. As a
result of these maneuvers a University Committee was appointed to work
with the committee of the Hollywood Writers' Mobilization for the prepa-
ration of the Congress. Lawson, Connelly and Freud apparently did
most of the work (as was to be expected) and it appears that the several
professors of the University Committee had little to do with the plans.
Marc Connelly testified before the committee October 13, 1944 (Com.
Tr. Vol. XXIII, pp. 112-120) that Lawson had been active in organiz-
ing the Hollywood, Writers' Mobilization. He stated that the Mobiliza-
tion was composed of the Screen Writers' Guild, the Radio Writers'
Guild, the Screen Publicists' Guild, the Screen Cartoonists' Guild, Ameri-
can Newspaper Guild, Independent Publicists' Association and the Song
Writers' Protective Association.
Questioned on the activities of the Hollywood Writers' Mobilization in
connection with the war effort, Connelly testified (Com. Tr., Vol. XXIII,
pp. 118-119) :
A. By Connelly: The war effort — oh, it has been supplying the
Office of War Information, the Army and Navy, with material,
U.S.O. with material, the Red Cross. It supplies material for actors
on the bond raising tours, it supplies spot announcements on radio
for any drive that happens to be on at the moment, paper saving
and so forth. It supplies articles following the directives of the war
agency that certain accents must be made for conservation of this
or the aid of this, if there is a Russian relief or a French relief or
an Italian relief clothing drive, or anything that we are asked to
assist in, our membership is at their disposal and volunteers its
service for that purpose.
Q. By Mr. Combs : As a matter of fact, judging from the list of
guilds and unions which comprise the Hollywood Writers' Mobiliza-
tion, that work, that activity would cover music, radio scripts and
skits and plays, and all sorts of creative material of that type, even
cartoons, would it not ?
A. Yes.
Q. And is there a present program being carried out by the mobil-
ization to write moving picture scenario scripts for use by the Office
of War Information ?
A. So far as I know, yes.
Q. Are those pictures which will be made from those scripts to be
exhibited in the United States or overseas?
A. I believe both.
132 UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
Rena M. Vale, a writer by profession and formerly a member of the
Communist Party of Los Angeles County, was engaged, in collaboration
with others, in preparing the script for the production "The Sun Rises
in the West ' f at the time she was a member of the Communist Party. The
chief task of the Communists, engaged in this work, was to weave Com-
munist Party propaganda and policy into the lines and action of the
production. Miss Vale's affidavit is set forth in its entirety in the Com-
mittee 's 1943 Report. At page 148 of the report, Miss Vale states :
"That in the throes of playwriting, John Howard Lawson, and
a Professor Lewis, met with our fraction to assist in the problems
of converting Communist propaganda into play form; that these
so-called experts in the dramatic field offered no concrete sugges-
tions in so far as I could see ; they merely ranted about our respon-
sibilities as Communist Party members. ' '
Lawson 's subtlety and evasiveness and convenient lapses of memory
are typically illustrated in his answers to questions concerning the
episode mentioned by Miss Vale. (Com. Tr., Vol. XXIII, p. 153) :
Q. By Mr. Combs : Do you recall a production called, ".Sun Rises
in the West"?
A. I recall hearing mention of it, yes.
Q. It was produced about 1937 or '38 — late in '37 or early in '38?
A. I couldn 't answer that.
Q. Did you ever read the play?
A. No.
Q. Did you ever advise on it?
A. No, not that I recall.
Q. Are you positive you never did?
A. No, I am not positive.
Q. It isn 't your testimony
A. (Interrupting) I don't know, because I have advised people
on many, many plays and productions. I know I never saw that or
read the manuscript, so I doubt if I could have advised with any
detail.
Q. Did you advise about the method of staging the production
without reading it, could somebody have told you about it ?
A. I don't know.
Q. By whom was the production produced ?
A. It was a production of the Federal Theatre. I don't know by
whom it was produced.
Q. By the Federal Theatre. That was a part of the WPA pro-
gram, wasn 't it ?
A. Yes.
Lawson was able to recall that he had been connected with the Com-
mittee for Technical Aid to Spanish Democracy. He admitted having
been a sponsor for the Citizens' Committee for the Defense of Harry
Bridges. He was able to remember signing the Call for the Fourth
American Writers' Congress in 1941 and having been an instructor in
the League of American Writers School. He admitted supporting and
sponsoring the candidacy of La Rue McCormick, an admitted and regis-
UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA 133
tered member of the Communist Party, for election to the California
State Senate in 1942.
He became vague and evasive when questioned concerning his connec-
tion with the New York Daily Worker, the official publication for the
Communist Party of the United States. (Com. Tr., Vol. XXIII, pp.
156-158) :
Q. By Mr. Combs: Did you ever hear of the Daily Worker in
New York ?
A. Yes.
Q. Would you assume that is the official publication of the Com-
munist Party of the United States prior to the change — of its change
to the Communist Political Association?
A. I can't testify to that. As far as that goes, you are asking
me a great many questions which are purely assumptions and in
regard to which I have no personal knowledge.
Q. Have you ever read the publication?
A. Yes, frequently.
Q. Have you ever read the Masthead?
A. No.
Q. Would it refresh your memory at all if I were to tell you,
which is a fact, on the Masthead appears the hammer and sickle and
words in effect, "The official Communist publication of the United
States"?
A. I would like to say at this point in your questioning you are
telling me. If you want to ask me questions, I 'm very delighted to
answer any questions, but the presentation of assumptions and
opinions, assumptions regarding people whom I know nothing about
or publications about which I know very little
Q. (Interrupting) You wrote for the Daily Worker?
A. That's correct.
Q. I show you a photostat dated December 21st, 1935, and call
your attention to page 2 and ask you if that is about the time you
were a contributing writer for the New York Daily Worker ?
A. I have no way of knowing this photostat is accurate, but I
presume that I was at that time.
Mr. Combs : I wish to read some names into the record from the
photostat, reading from page 1 (reading) :
Editors C. A. Hathaway, Joseph North, James Olgin, Edwin
Seaver, Sender Garlin, A. B. Magil, Michael Quinn, Earl
Browder, Erskine Caldwell, Malcolm Cowley, James Farrell,
(who is the one who suggested the singing of the International
at the closing of the first congress), William Z. Foster, former
vice president of the Communist Party of the United States,
Waldo Frank, who presided at the first Writers' Congress,
Corliss Lamott, John Howard Lawson, Clifford Odets, M. J.
Olgin, whose name was read into the record as the reporter of
the Kharkov conference, George Sklar and Anna Louise Strong,
Jack Stachel, Meridel Le Sueur, whose name has been read into
the record, Lincoln Steffens, Ella Winter, Clara Weatherwax.
134 UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
Lawson admitted having been a subscriber to the West Coast Com-
munist publication, the People's Daily World, since it started publica-
tion. He was familiar with American Youth for Democracy, the new
name for the Young Communist League, and admitted having been a
sponsor of the organization. He admitted being a member of the Ameri-
can League for Peace and Democracy. He was familiar with the Labor
Defender, published by the International Labor Defense and admitted
that he had contributed articles to the publication on occasion.
The Attorney General of the United States, Francis Biddle, made an
investigation of the Writers' Congress and the League of American
Writers and issued a confidential written report on these organizations
in 1942. It subsequently was made public and the Committee repro-
duces it in full :
"The League of American "Writers, founded under Communist
auspices in 1935, for some years attracted to its fold many of
the most prominent American writers, Communists and non-
Communists. In 1939 the League began openly to follow the
Communist Party line as dictated by the foreign policy of the
Soviet Union, and at that time most of the non-Communists dis-
affiliated themselves from it and declared their opposition to its
policy.
' ' The League of American Writers was founded at a congress of
American revolutionary writers held in New York City April 26-27.
1935. The call for the congress was signed by members of the John
Reed Club, including such well-known Communists as Earl Brow-
der, Isidor Schneider, John L. Spivak, and Michael Gold. The
congress greeted Gold as the best loved American revolutionary
writer and Gold in turn told the gathering that, ' Our writers must
learn that the working class which has created a great civilization
in the Soviet Union is capable of creating a similar civilization in
this country. ' The leading speakers at the congress were all promi-
nently identified with the Communist movement in the United States
and featured such men as M. J. Olgin, editor of the Communist
Yiddish Daily, Morning Freiheit, Alexander Trachtenberg, head of
the Party's publishing house, International Publishers, Inc., and
Clarence Hathaway, editor of the Daily Worker whose masthead
then proclaimed it the official organ of the Communist Party, U. S. A.
section of the Communist International. The league was created,
among other things, to enlist writers in a national cultural organiza-
tion for peace and democracy and against fascism and reaction, to
support progressive trade-union organizations and the people 's front
, in all countries, and to cooperate with the progressive forces.
"Soon after the league was established, the Seventh World Con-
gress of the Communist International in Moscow decided upon the
Trojan horse policy for Communist parties everywhere. By this
policy Communists sought to infiltrate existing organizations with-
out revealing their identity. Accordingly, it became necessary to
conceal the Communist influence in the League of American Writers.
The revolutionary slogans and resolutions were discarded. In the
years from 1936 to 1939 the league made an effort to secure as
members the leaders of liberal thought among American writers.
Although its Communist control was deliberately obscured, it spon-
UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA 135
sored a policy which accorded with the Communist Party line in
those years, including condemnation of the Franco revolution in
Spain and an interpretation of that revolution as presenting an
issue of Communism vs. Fascism. In its congresses held in these
years the league condemned fascism and praised the 'Soviet peace
policy. ' It sought to make its program attractive by sponsoring the
Federal Arts Project and attacking those who were opposed to any
of the social legislation then being enacted in the United States.
"At the time of the Kusso-German pact in August, 1939, the
League' of American Writers began once more to follow the
Communist Party line openly and without much attempt at dis-
simulation. It was in this period that most of the prominent non-
Communist writers resigned from the league. Thomas Mann stated
that the league ' thinks too much about politics and not enough about
literature. ' In 1940 and up until June 22, 1941, the league devoted
its efforts principally to keeping the United States out of the
' imperialist war. ' Its activities were featured in the Daily Worker,
and it in turn complimented the Daily Worker for the recognition
it was giving to the league 's anti-war program. Many leading Com-
munists were openly active in the league at this time.
"On June 6, 1941, the league held its Fourth Annual Writers'
Congress in New York City. It condemned the ' imperialist war, '
which it called a war for world markets. Speakers charged that
the President was attempting to lead the country into war, and con-
demned the administration for its action in sending troops to quell
the North American Aviation Co. strike and for its prosecution of
Harry Bridges.
' ' The American Peace Mobilization and its picketing of the White
House was endorsed. Less than a month later the league issued a
call to all writers and writers' organizations for 'all immediate and
necessarjr steps in support of Great Britain and the Soviet Union.'
"Not only did the league follow the Communist Party line in
regard to foreign affairs, but its program since 1940 has shown a
close parallel to the leading domestic issues supported by the party,
including a campaign in behalf of Negro rights, opposition to what
is called political .persecution in the United States, and praise of
the Soviet Union and its leaders.
"The League of American Writers 'maintains an annual writers'
school in New York City, featuring courses in labor journalism and
pamphlet writing taught by Communists. Once each week it spon-
sors a 'work in progress' reading by some author. The Daily
Worker, in its regular reports of these readings, indicates that the
majority of invited readers are known Communists or fellow trav-
elers.
' ' The overt activities of the League of American Writers in the last
two years leave little doubt of its Communist control. The resigna-
tions of many writers who "had affiliated themselves with it in the era
of the Trojan horse and their statements at the time of disassociat-
ing themselves from it largely remove all possible speculations as to
the facts."
136 UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
6
PEOPLE'S EDUCATIONAL CENTER
J. Edgar Hoover, Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation,
addressing the annual commencement exercises at Holy Cross College,
Worcester, Massachusetts, June 29, 1944, stated :
"Over the years, the American Communists have developed a
propaganda machine and a nefarious and elaborate school system
of their own. Their officials in secret and public meetings urge that
the propaganda phase of their work must be accelerated. Brazenly,
they have urged the development of courses, lectures, and assemblies
as media to espouse the ideologies of Marxism and to establish Marx-
ism as a school of thought in the United States. . . . "
For the first time, Earl Browder has assumed absolute and direct con-
trol of the "Workers' Schools" of the United States. It is reported that
in New York City, V. J. Jerome and Elizabeth Lawson are the key people
in the Communists' "elaborate school system." V. J. Jerome (alias
Isaac Romaine) has been the secret educational director of the Com-
munist Party for many years. He was formerly the editor of The Com-
munist. Jerome is considered one of the outstanding dialecticians in the
United States and is considered by many members as the "brains" of
the Communist Party. He was one of the instructors in the New York
Workers' School. It is estimated that the Communist Party schools will
graduate about 5,000 students a year.
The People's Educational Center, new Communist Party propaganda
school, was launched in Los Angeles the latter part of 1943. There is
good reason to believe that this Communist front is an offshoot of the
Writers' Congress held on the campus of the University of California at
Los Angeles. The Workers' School is to be absorbed by this new educa-
tional "front."
A letter under date of October 20, 1943 was addressed to many indi-
viduals, associations and labor organizations. The letter is as follows :
"The People's Educational Center would like your organization
to have a" hand in its program, a voice in its policies. To this end we
cordially invite you to investigate the aims and purposes of the
Center, to become familiar with our tentative courses in education
and our means of carrying the program to completion.
"The provisional committee of the People's Educational Center
is drawn from many phases of Los Angeles life — men and women
from business, the university, civic affairs, labor, the professions,
women 's affairs. It was organized to give Los Angeles a new type
of adult education, education in a changing world, to meet fast
changing conditions where, as the Red Queen said to Alice in Won-
derland ' You have to run awful fast if you want to stay in one place. '
"The Center is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization. Already
lined up for its teaching staff are leaders in the field of university
education, scientists and professional men and women. The varied
courses in its curricula will be taught by men and women who know
their subject by actual experience.
"We will be most pleased to send you complete information on
request. We would like to meet with representatives of your organ-
UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA 137
ization — to get their views on our program, to learn from their
experiences how to make this center a more living force for the future
good of Los Angeles and the Nation. We would like your help in
bringing to the people generally the most satisfying of all experi-
ences in human affairs — the happiness that comes with learning
something new and keeping abreast of the times. ' '
Under the title "Provisional Committee for the People's Educational
Center, ' ' appear the following names :
John Allard, Arnold Manoff ,
Fay E. Allen, Dean E. McHenry,
R. S. Avery, Russell L. McKnight,
Charlotta A. Bass, Carey Mc Williams,
George Bradley, M. William Pomerance,
Philip M. Connellv, Ruth S. Ryan,
0. W. E. Cook, Eva Shafran,
Frank C. Davis, Albee Slade,
Rev. Martin S. Eidsath, C. L. Vanderbie,
Harry Holjer, Ralph D. Winstead,
John Howard Lawson, William Wolff.
Louis Levy,
The address on the letterhead is "812 Broadway Arcade Bldg., 542
South Broadway, Los Angeles, 13, California."
The Communist character of the organization is clearly revealed by
the personnel of the Provisional Committee. Philip M. Connelly is said
to have joined the Communist Party in June or July, 1938, and was
attached to Unit 140, Professional Section, of the Newspaper Guild.
During the Hitler-Stalin Pact he appeared in support of various peace
rallies. His devotion to the Communist Party publication, The People's
Daily World, is indicated by the announcement that he had donated a
day's pay to the paper. He has been active in many Communist front
organizations and has assiduously followed the Communist Party line
for many years.
Frank C. Davis is assistant professor at the University of California,
at Los Angeles. In 1939, 1940 and 1941, he sent telegrams to District
Attorney Matthew Brady, in San Francisco, in defense of Sam Darcy,
Communist. He is reported to have formerly been a professor at the
University of Washington.
The Communist record of John Howard Lawson is set forth in con-
siderable detail in this report under the title i( Writers' Congress at the
University of California."
Carey McWilliams is a member of nearly every Communist front
organization in the State of California. His record is treated at some
length in various parts of this report.
Mrs. Ruth S. Ryan is a Los Angeles teacher. She was registered as a
Communist in Los Angeles County June 15, 1940 at 4306 La Clede
Avenue, Los Angeles. In August of 1940 she sponsored Celeste Strack
for the Communist Party nomination to the office of Congress for the'
Thirteenth Congressional District. She sponsored Louis Baron for the
Communist Party nomination to the office of Congress for the Thirteenth
Congressional District in August of 1938. She also sponsored Pettis
188 UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
Perry for the Communist Party nomination to the office of the State
Board of Equalization for the Fourth District in August of 1938. In
1942 she appeared as a member of the Los Angeles Consumers Council,
Communist front. (See page 104, Committee's Report for 1943).
Eva Shafran merits particular notice in this report. For some time
she was the active organizer of the Communist Party in Los Angeles
County. She was registered as a Communist in Los Angeles County in
June of 1940. She wrote for the Western Worker, West Coast Com-
munist predecessor to the Communist publication, The People's Daily
World. In October, 1936, she wrote an article for the Western Worker
entitled "The Socialist Party and Trotskyites." In December of 1936
she wrote an article for the Western Worker entitled "Unity of Negro
and White Urgent in Maritime Strike." Eva Shafran is known among
Communists as an outstanding Marxist. For many years she has taught
advanced classes on Marxism-Leninism in the Communist Workers'
School in Los Angeles. According to the testimony of John Leech, for-
mer Secretary of the Communist Party in Los Angeles County (before
the Los Angeles Grand Jury, 94369-8-15-40) Eva Shafran was trans-
ferred to Los Angeles by the Communist Party from the New York
Workers' School in 1935 or early in 1936. She was immediately assigned
to the California State Committee of the Communist Party and has
devoted herself to the task of raising the political level of Communists
in Los Angeles. Her name is variably spelled "Shafran," " Shaffron"
and " Shiffman."
Albee Slade is an organizer and publicity man for the Congress for
Industrial Organization. He has been editor and commentator on a
radio program "Our Daily Bread" (C. I. 0. newspaper of the air).
Carl Winter, former secretary of the Communist Party of Los Angeles
County, is advertised as a lecturer at the People's Educational Center.
The committee finds that the People's Educational Center is inspired
and controlled by the Communists; that it is, in fact, a Communist
organization for the dissemination of Marxism — part of the "elaborate
school system" of Communism mentioned by J. Edgar Hoover, Director
of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
WEST COAST COMMUNIST PRESS
The People's Daily World, in its July 9, 1943, issue announced :
" . . . now, in this crucial summer of 1943, as we prepare for
the greatest military offensives to smash the Axis enemy, as we fight
to hold the home front against the fifth column, as we look ahead
to the 1944 elections — we feel that the People 's Daily World will be
more needed than ever. . . , The People's World must be
improved, its circulation extended, its finances bolstered. ..."
A "call" was subsequently issued by the People's Daily World for a
"Pro- War Press Conference on Behalf of the People's Daily World"
for Wednesday, August 4, 1943, at 8 p.m., at the First Unitarian Church,
located at the corner of 8th Street and Vermont Avenue in the City of
Los Angeles,
UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA 139
The letter for the call was signed by Ed Bobbin, editor of the
People's Daily World in Los Angeles and Judith Schmidt, the Los
Angeles manager for the Communist newspaper. The letterhead con-
tains the following names as ' ' endorsers ' ' of the ' ' call ' ' :
Joseph W. Aidlin, Kenneth Eckert,
Fay Allen, Pearl Fagelson,
Charlotta Bass, Leo Gallagher,
Gray Bemis, Ed Gilbert,
Revels Cayton, Augustus Hawkins,
Parley Parker Christensen, Martin Hourihan,
Grover Johnson, Carey McWilliams,
Pete King, Richard Otto,
John Howard Lawson, Pettis Perry,
Joe Marty, William Rosenthal,
La Rue McCormick, Rev. Clayton Russell,
Lester McMillan, Chaim Shapiro,
Dorothy Connelly, Vincent Sherman,
Frank Corona, Max Silver,
James Daugherty, Herb Sorrell,
Ernest Dawson, Al Waxman,
Theodore Dreiser, Cone Young.
Joseph W. Aidlin is a member of the Communist front organization foi
attorneys, the National Lawyers' Guild.
John Leech, former Secretary of the Communist Party of Los Angeles
County, testified before the Grand Jury of Los Angeles County (Grand
Jury testimony, 94369-8-1540) that Aidlin was a member of the Com-
munist Party and that Leech, as secretary of the party, knew him as a
member. Leech testified that Aidlin had worked for Leo Gallagher on
International Labor Defense cases.
Mrs. Fay Allen was formerly a member of the Los Angeles Board of
Education. She followed the Communist Party line consistently. She
was a member of the California League for Democratic Action and a
member of various Communist "front" organizations. On August 30,
1941, the People's Daily World lists Mrs. Allen as a sponsor for a state-
wide conference to be held in San Francisco, September 27, 1941, for the
purpose of protesting the "Tenney Committee and the Tenney Bill out-
lawing the Communist Party. ' '
Charlotta Bass has been mentioned many times in the pages of the
committee's report. She is the editor and owner of the Los Angeles
Negro newspaper, The California Eagle. On August 30, 1941, the Peo-
ple's Daily World, lists Mrs. Bass as a sponsor for a state-wide confer-
ence protesting the "Tenney Committee and the Tenney Bill outlawing
the Communist Party." On October 3, 1942, the People's Daily World
announced that Mrs. Bass would be the principal speaker for a "Win-
the-War-Rally " at the Los Angeles Breakfast Club under the auspices
of the International Workers Order, a Communist Party organization.
This particular meeting was attended by the Soviet Consul, Clarence
Muse, Carey McWilliams and Ellis E. Patterson. On November 2, 1942,
Mrs. Bass appeared in a paid political advertisement in the Los Angeles
Times endorsing La Rue McCormick, Communist candidate for State
140 UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
Senator from Los Angeles County. She recently was appointed to the
National executive committee of the International Labor Defense.
Gray Bemis is an officer in the International Workers Order, a Com-
munist organization. On November 2, 1942, Bemis endorsed La Rue
McCormick, Communist candidate for State Senator for Los Angeles
County in a paid political advertisement in the Los Angeles Times.
Revels Cayton was a registered Communist in San Francisco in 1940.
He was one of the many Communists and Communist fellow-travelers
who endorsed the San Francisco conference protesting the "Tenney Bill
outlawing the Communist Party and the Tenney Committee." He
served as secretary for the Bay Region District Council of the Maritime
Federation of the Pacific in 1941. He was a pallbearer at the funeral
of James McNamara, confessed dynamiter. In May of 1941, he was
reported as the Vice President of the San Francisco C. I. 0. Council.
Parley Parker Christensen is a Los Angeles City Councilman. He
was endorsed by the Communist Party and the People's Daily World for
the Los Angeles City Council from the Ninth District in May of 1939.
He voted against the charter amendment barring from city service per-
sons advocating the overthrow of the Government in February of 1941.
He supported the Los Angeles City Board of Public Works' action in
issuing a permit to the American Peace Mobilization (Communist front
organization collaborating with Hitler and Stalin during the Stalin-
Hitler pact).
In supporting the rally for the Communist publication, the People's
Daily World, Christensen is quoted as stating :
1 ' "We have great need in this community for an independent paper
devoted to labor and the underprivileged generally. The People's
Daily World has met that need splendidly, things that need to be
said — truths that the people need to know — are found in the columns
of the People's Daily World. Hope your conference on August 4 is
successful. It deserves the support of every patriotic American.
More power to you. ' '
James Daugherty is a National representative for the C. I. 0. Utility
Workers Organizing Committee. He has protested the "Tenney Com-
mittee ' ' and the bill outlawing the Communist Party. He opposed Cali-
fornia's Subversive Registration Act of 1941. He ran a paid advertise-
ment in the Labor Day edition of the People's Daily World, August 30,
1941. He represented the C. I. 0. Utility Workers on a committee for
the People 's Daily World Fund Drive. He was a representative for the
C. I. 0. "Night For People's Daily World Fund Drive," September
27, 1941.
Ernest Dawson is a book dealer in the City of Los Angeles. He has
continually permitted his name to be used in Communist Party programs
and "front" organizations. He was a member of the State Sponsoring
Committee for the Schneiderman-Darcy Defense Committee, with head-
quarters at 127 South Broadway, Room 318, Los Angeles, in May of
1940. In 1939, 1940 and 1941 he sent communications to San Fran-
cisco 's District Attorney, Matthew Brady, in defense of Sam Darcy. He
signed a preliminary petition for the Committee for Citizenship Rights
for William Schneider man in 1941 and endorsed the Committee for Cit-
izenship Rights of William Schneiderman in January of 1942.
Utf-AMERIOAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA 141
Theodore Dreiser is a novelist, He contributed articles to The Clipper
(formerly Black and White), Communist publication, in 1940. He con-
tinually lends his name to Communist front organizations and programs.
He spoke at the first Tom Mooney Defense Committee meeting held under
the auspices of the Communist Party in San Francisco. He appeared
with Dorothy Parker and Donald Ogden Stewart as a guest of honor at
the State, County and Municipal Workers of America (S. C. M. "W. A.)
Defense Committee reception, January 19, 1941, in San Francisco. On
January 26, 1941, Dreiser appeared as the signer of a petition protest-
ing "Un-American Actions Against Communists" and the outlawing of
the Communist Party. {New Leader, January 26, 1941). People's
Daily World for January 27. 1941. reports Dreiser as the principal
speaker at a meeting in San Francisco. At this meeting he is reported as
stating that Soviet workers are far better off than American workers.
On March 5, 1941, Dreiser signed a petition addressed to the President
of the United States and Congress, defending the Communist Party.
On July 7, 1941, Dreiser was listed as the National Vice Chairman of
the American Peace Mobilization, Communist front organization in sup-
port of the Hitler-Stalin Pact. On April 18, 1941, the People's Daily
World reported that Dreiser denounced the Dies Committee and J. B.
Matthews for stating that the American Peace Mobilization was a "Com-
munist front group. ' ' He signed the call for the Fourth American Writ-
ers' Congress in an advertisement appearing on the back of The Clipper
for May, 1941. He was elected an honorary President of the League of
American Writers, Communist organization. He was a member of the
Sponsoring Committee for the Schneiderman-Darcy Defense Committee,
August 14, 1941. He eulogized Leo Gallagher, an admitted and regis-
tered member of the Communist Party, at a testimonial dinner at the
Wilshire Bowl, June 4, 1941.
Pearl Fagelson is a member of the County Council of the International
Workers Order, a Communist organization. She was a member of the
Los Angeles Consumers Council as of March 27, 1942, a Communist front
organization. She sent postal cards to San Francisco's District Attor-
ney, Matthew Brady, defending Sam Darcv, a Communist, in 1939, 1940
and 1941.
Leo Gallagher is an admitted and registered member of the Communist
Party. His Communist record is long and need not be repeated here.
The Communist record and activities of John Howard Lawson are set
forth at considerable length in this report under the title "Writers'
Congress."
Mrs. La Hue McCormick is an admitted and registered member of the
Communist Party.
The Communist activities and record of Carey Mc Williams are set
forth in detail in this report. The People's Daily World for July 21,
1943, reports McWilliams as saying :
"In my opinion the People's Daily World is doing a very good
job. You don't have to go any further back than the recent 'zoot
suit' riots to see this. The Hearst papers incited violence and
prejudice; the People's World urged unity and exposed the fifth
column influences behind the rioting.
142 UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
"People's World circulation may be small compared with the
L. A. Examiner or The Times, but its viewpoint and integrity have
gained for it widespread respect and consideration.
''I am glad to endorse your August 4 conference in the First
Unitarian Church, and you have my best wishes for the success of
your financial drive. ' '
Pettis Perry is an admitted and registered member of the Communist
Party and for many years has been one of the party's functionaries in
Los Angeles County.
The Reverend Clayton Russell is a Los Angeles minister. On Novem-
ber 2, 1942, he appeared as an endorser for Mrs. La Rue McCormiek,
Communist Party candidate for State Senator from Los Angeles County,
in a paid political advertisement.
Max Silver is a Los Angeles Communist functionary.
Herbert Sorrell is an officer in the Studio Painters' Union, A. F. of L.
He has persistently followed the Communist Party line. He subscribed
to the Communist Party publication, the People's Daily World. Leaf-
lets distributed in July of 1940 listed Sorrell as an officer in the American
Peace Crusade, Communist organization. He also appeared as an
endorser for Mrs. La Rue McCormiek, Communist Party candidate for
State Senator, in a paid political advertisement in the Los Angeles Times,
November 2, 1942.
Al "Waxman is the editor and publisher of the East side Journal, a
"throw-away" newspaper in east side Los Angeles: He also endorsed
Communist La Rue McCormack for State Senator in a paid political
advertisement. (See section "Zoot-Suit," this report.)
Two or three weeks prior to August 4, 1943, the date set for the Com-
munist Party Press Conference, Senator Jack B. Tenney, Chairman of
the Joint Fact-Finding Committee on Un-American Activities, tele-
phoned the Rev. Ernest Caldecott, Minister of the First Unitarian
Church of Los Angeles, protesting the meeting of the Communist group
in the church. Rev. Caldecott assured Senator Tenney that he would
look into the matter. Some time later Senator Tenney talked to George
Wyant, Business Manager of the church. Mr. Wyant assured Senator
Tenney that he also would make an investigation of the matter.
The meeting was held at the time and place, as advertised.
Ed Robin, and Paul Cline, former Secretary of the Communist Party
of Los Angeles County, dominated the platform at the meeting. None of
the people who had endorsed the "call" attended. There were about
200 people present.
Ed Robin called for recommendations and suggestions for the improve-
ment of the People's Daily World. He read many letters and telegrams
among which were communications from Theodore Dreiser, Herbert Sor-
rell and Assemblyman Lester McMillan of the Sixty-first Assembly Dis-
trict, Los Angeles County. The Communist publication, the People's
Daily World, carried Assemblyman McMillan's letter in its August 5,
1943, issue. The letter, in part, reads as follows :
"Jack Tenney 's attack on your prowar conference is not at
all surprising to me. But honestly, I think it will do you more
good than harm.
UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA 143
' ' This Red-baiting stuff is wearing awful thin and if he is really
shocked because ... I have endorsed the conference then he ought
to get wise to himself. He is due to get a lot more shocks as prog-
ress and liberal unity move ahead.
' ' Maybe what Tenney is really irked about is that the conference
call attacks the Hearst newspapers and supports President Roose-
velt. Tenney loves Hearst and hates Roosevelt.
"Yes, I have endorsed this conference because I think The
People's World is doing a fine job of supporting the war.
"Please accept my best wishes for the success of your con-
ference. ' '
Judy Schmidt was introduced as the chairman of the sponsor drive
for the Communist paper. She stated that $10,000 had already been
received and that she was hopeful that the quota of $60,000 would be
made in the alloted time. She stated that a trade union subcommittee
was assisting in increasing the sale of the paper and that the Committee
to Spread Communism was also assisting the drive.
A Negress representing the Committee to Extend Communism Among
Colored People was appointed to the campaign committee.
Paul Cline. former Secretary of the Communist Party of Los Angeles
County, was introduced as the principal speaker. A veteran Commu-
nist functionary, he now has charge of the San Francisco office of the
People's Daily World. He opened his address with a lashing attack on
"William Randolph Hearst and Colonel McCormick, newspaper pub-
lishers. He criticized the Los Angeles metropolitan newspapers and
eulogized the People's Daily World. He declared that the Communist
paper was the only "all out to win the war" publication on the West
Coast.
THE LOS ANGELES UNITARIAN CHURCH AS A COMMUNIST
MEETING PLACE
A pamphlet entitled "Workers' School" had been circulated on the
campus of the University of California at Los Angeles during the
Writers' Congress. This pamphlet advertised courses offered by the
school.
The committee learned that certain Communist Party classes were
being held in the Unitarian Church at Eighth and Vermont in the
City of Los Angeles and one such class was scheduled to open August 6,
1943. Having learned that protests to the Rev. Ernest Caldecott, Min-
ister of the church, were futile, the following letter was written to John
R. Quinn, Tax Assessor for the County of Los Angeles, under date of
September 4, 1943 :
' ' My Dear Mr. Quinn :
"I am desirous of calling your attention to a matter that has
undoubtedly escaped your attention and one in which I am sure
you, as well as the taxpayers of the City and County of Los Angeles,
will be vitally interested.
"For some time past, the Joint Fact-Finding Committee on
Un-American Activities in California, through its investigators, has
been concerned with what definitely appears to be a flagrant violation
of the taxation laws of California in reference to the First Unitarian
144 UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
Church, located at 2936 West 8th Street in the City of Los Angeles.
"I particularly want to call your attention to Article XIII,
Section 1£ of the Constitution of California, which was adopted
by the people November 6, 1900, and which reads as follows :
'All buildings, and so much of the real property on which
they are situated as may be required for the convenient use
and occupation of said buildings, when the same are used
solely and exclusively for religious worship, shall be free from
taxation; provided, that no building so used which may be
rented for religious purposes and rent received by the owner
therefor, shall be exempt from taxation. '
"I further call your attention to Article 2, Section 256 of the
Revenue and Taxation Code of California, which reads as follows :
'The affidavit for church exemption shall show that: (a)
The building is used solely for religious worship, (b) The
described portion of the real property claimed as exempt is
required for the convenient use of the building, (e) It is
not rented for religious purposes and rent received by the
owner. '
"The Reverend Ernest Caldecott is the pastor of this church.
The record reveals that the church or some portion of the premises
have been used from time to time for Communist front organiza-
tion meetings and is presently being used by the Los Angeles
"Workers School. The current announcement of courses in the above
mentioned school for the summer term of 1943, July 19 to Sep-
tember 6, reveals on page 7, that the course on 'Problems of Amer-
ican Democracy' beginning August 6, conducted by John Howard
Lawson, Carey Mc Williams and Albert Maltz, is being held in the
Unitarian Church, located at 2936 West 8th Street (East of Ver-
mont) and that the tuition for the whole course is, $2 and that
single admissions are 50 cents.
"The character of the Los Angeles Workers School is revealed
in its pamphlet, 'Announcement of Courses, Summer Term 1943 —
July 10-Sept. 6' on page 10, under the heading 'Fundamentals of
Marxism. ' This course is described as follows :
'This course is an authoritative exposition of the funda-
mental principles of scientific Socialism. It teaches the main
theories of Marx, Engels, and as further developed by Lenin,
Stalin and by America's foremost Marxists, Earl Browder,
William Z. Foster and other American Communists. The
course deals with the fundamental teaching of Marxian eco-
nomics, politics and social development. It will give the student
a fundamental grasp of the economics of Capitalism and the
problems of a war economy for victory; the economics of
Socialism; the origin and role of the State, Democracy, Fas-
cism; the Marxist teaching of war in general and the present
war in particular; tactics of the working class and problems
in National Unity; the Communist Party.
UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA 145
' (This course is recommended as an introductory course
and should be taken by everyone who intends to make a thorough
study of Marxism.) '
"Pettis Perry, active Communist functionary and former secre-
tary of the Communist Party for Los Angeles County, spoke at
this church February 13, 1943, as did the present secretary of the
Communist Party for Los Angeles County, Carl Winter.
"On August 4, 1943, the Communist Party publication, the
'People's Daily World,' held a rally and fund-raising drive at this
church. The call was issued by Ed Robbin, who is a registered
Communist. Pettis Perry, La Rue McCormack, Paul Cline and
many other notorious Communists and fellow-travelers sponsored
the call for the People's Daily World at the Unitarian Church
on this occasion. Our reports on the meeting indicate some
200 in attendance. Although the writer protested to the
Reverend of the church, Ernest Caldecott, concerning the
meeting, it was held on schedule nevertheless. The purpose
of this meeting was definitely commercial, devising ways and means
of financing the Communist publication, the People's Daily World.
"We have no quarrel with Reverend Ernest Caldecott or the
First Unitarian Church, their religious or political beliefs. We are
primarily concerned with subversive organizations. We have no
quarrel with the Soviet Government, our ally in the present conflict.
Our concern is with the seditious, traitorous and sabotaging group
of American Communists in California who worked incessantly for
22 months during the Hitler-Stalin pact to sabotage our defense and
war effort and who are still determined to destroy our form of
government, our democracy and our Constitution, once this conflict
in Europe is concluded.
"It certainly appears that the use of church premises for the
purposes above enumerated violate both the spirit and intent of the
constitutional provision, exempting church property, above quoted,
and the section of the Revenue and Taxation Code of California
above mentioned.
"The books and records of the First Unitarian Church should
reveal that this type of thing has been going on for a period of years.
Our committee stands ready and willing to cooperate with your
office at all times and we are in a position to furnish you with details
and proof of similar meetings held at this church.
"Trusting that you will make an immediate investigation into
this matter to the end that the laws of California be enforced on
the subject and that subversive and seditious groups be denied
sanctuary within the confines of a religious edifice, I am,
Very sincerely yours,
(Senator) Jack B. Tenney."
146 UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
8
THE C. I. 0. POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
Karl Marx realized that the revolution in Europe was postponed when
news of the discovery of gold in California came to his attention. He
wrote :
"There can be no talk of a real revolution in such a time as this,
when general prosperity prevails, when the productive forces of
bourgeois society are flourishing as luxuriantly as is possible within
the framework of bourgeois conditions. Such a revolution can only
take place in periods when these two factors, the modern forces of
production and the bourgeois forms of production, are in antagonism
each to the other. ' '
Marx turned his attention to political action. Without losing sight
of the ultimate objective for the violent destruction of all existing States,
he inclined toward the elaboration of political tactics in conformity with
established bourgeois methods and trends. The principles of modern
Communist strategy were crystalizing in Marx's mind and ultimately
found expression in the first Communist International (International
Workingmen 's Association). The franchise demonstration in London
against Disraeli convinced Marx that his political technique was work-
able. Reporting to Engels about the franchise demonstration, Marx
said: "It is really amazing compared with anything seen in England
since 1844, and wholly the work of the International. * * * This
shows how different it is when one works behind the scene and disappears
from the public eye, as compared with the democratic manner of assum-
ing important airs in public and doing nothing at all. ' '
The basic principle behind Marxian political technique is subtle col-
laboration with the class it seeks to destroy. It is the ingratiating
dishonesty of the assassin who accepts the hospitality of his victim until
he can safely stab him in the back and take all of his possessions. Marx,
in an address issued to the Communist League in March of 1850, put it
this way : ' ' The relationship of the revolutionary labour party in a petty-
bourgeois Democracy is as follows : It joins forces with the petty-
bourgeois Democracy against the fraction whose overthrow it aims at
affecting ; but it opposes both the one and the other in matters it wishes
to establish on its own account."
COMMUNIST POLITICAL PARTY A FAILURE
The Communist Party, as a political entity, was created. The estab-
lishment of the Third Communist International (Comintern) gave impe-
tus to the formation of Communist Parties in various countries through-
out the world, all affiliated with and dominated by the Comintern in
Moscow, Russia. Marx declared in Misere de la Philosophie that eco-
nomic production with its attendant social stratification, creates the basis
of political history of each epoch. He contends that the whole course
of history down to our time has been a history of class struggle. He
called for the annihilation of the bourgeois system of society, and, at the
same time, called on Communists everywhere to assist in the bourgeois
revolution. The principle behind this strategy was not for the purpose
of putting political power in the hands of the bourgeoisie but to put new
UN-AMEEICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA 147
political weapons into the hands of the Communists. As a political party,
apparently acting within the law, the Communists would occupy a favor-
able position in the political field.
Practical experience has proved to Communist strategists that Marx
was not altogether correct in his strategy of the Communist political
party. Only in Russia, where the Bolsheviks ruled with an iron hand,
was Communism respectable. Throughout the countries of the world
the Communist Party has been held in contempt, its ideology, leaders
and adherents discredited. The utilization of "front" organizations,
with Communist control and domination carefully concealed, has been
far more effective. A small, compact and disciplined group of Commu-
nists, working behind the scenes of a " front ' ' organization, are able to
direct the thinking and the activity of thousands of people and to ruth-
lessly discard and liquidate the "innocents" when Communist objectives
have been achieved.
POLITICAL "FRONT" TECHNIQUE
The Communist Party never attained, under its own banner and in
its name, influence or prestige in the United States. Through its ' ' front ' '
organizations, however, it has made considerable progress, particularly
during the past decade. Its greatest successes have taken place since
Pearl Harbor.
The successful realization of "front" organizational activity was
reached by the Communists in its creation of the C. I. 0. Political Action
Committee in July of 1943. Sidney Hillman, head of the Political Action
Committee, recently announced that the organization would be made
permanent.
The legislative committee investigated the activities of the C. I. 0.
Political Action Committee in California from its inception. R. E.
Combs, counsel and chief investigator for the committee, submitted a
detailed report on July 8, 1944, which report was read in its entirety
into committee records in San Francisco October 27, 1944. The report
is as follows :
"The National Executive Board of the Congress of Industrial
Organizations created the Political Action Committee on July
seventh, 1943. The board is composed of 49 members. At least 18
of them have records of collaboration with the Communist program
in the United States, and this minority actually controls the board.
These 18 members are : Louis Alan Berne, President of the Interna-
tional Federation of Architects, Engineers, Chemists and Techni-
cians of America; Donald Henderson, President of the United Can-
nery, Agricultural, Packing and Allied Workers of America; Joseph
P. Selly, President of the American Communications Association ;
Julius Emspak, Secretary-Treasurer of the United Electrical, Radio
and Machine Workers of America; Grant W. Oakes, President of
the United Farm Equipment and Metal Workers of America;
Eleanor Nelson, Secretary-Treasurer of the United Federal Work-
ers of America; Joseph F. Jurich, President of the International
Fishermen and Allied Workers of America; Ben Gold, president of
the International Fur and Leather Workers of America; Morris
Muster, President of the United Furniture Workers of America;
Harry Renton Bridges, President of the International Longshore-
148 UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
men's and Warehousemen's Union; Ferdinand C. Smiih, Secretary
of the National Maritime Union of America; Lewis Merrill, Presi-
dent of the United Office and Profesional Workers of America;
Abraham Flaxer, President of the State, County and Municipal
Workers of America; Michael J. Quill, President of the United
Transport Workers of America; Joseph Curran, President of the
National Maritime Union of America; Reid Robinson, President of
the International Mine, Mill and Smelter Workers of America; E. F.
Burke, Secretary of the Marine Cooks and Stewards Association of
the Pacific Coast, and Frank R. McGrath, President of the United
Shoe Workers of America.
"For a detailed report concerning the Communist affiliations and
activities of each of these 18 individuals see the publication of the
Congressional Committee on Un-American Activities (Dies Com-
mittee) concerning its investigation of the Political Action Commit-
tee, June, 1944.
"Phillip Murray appointed Mr. Sidney Hillman as head of the
newly-created committee, with R. J. Thomas, Sherman Dalrymple,
Albert J. Fitzgerald and David J. McDonald as his assistants. The
United States was then divided into 14 regions, with a director and
subordinates in charge of each. California and Arizona comprise
Area Thirteen, and the California State Headquarters was located
in San Francisco, although the great majority of the State's popu-
lation and the bulwark of its union strength is in Los Angeles
County. It is of some coincidental interest to note that the Com-
munist Party also divided the Nation into Communist Districts, and
that California and Arizona were in District Thirteen, with head-
quarters located at 121 Haight Street, San Francisco.
"In charge of the affairs of the Political Action Committee in
California is Mrs. Claudia Williams, alias Claudia Hoffman, alias
Claudia Parker. Her Communist record, as shown by the files of the
State Pact-Finding Committee on Un-American Activities is long
and varied, commencing with her affiliation with the Young Com-
munist League and extending through years of activity in the Com-
munist Party, mostly in Northern California. Sworn statements
from a number of witnesses are available to show that Mrs. Williams
has been a Communist for at least eight years.
"In each of the 14 regions established by the Political Action
Committee the work is largely carried on through the C. I. 0. County
Councils. In Los Angeles County, for example, the county council
is composed of the following. members : Walter Pollard, Oscar Fuss,
Aaron Shapiro, Lyle Proctor, Jeff Kibre, James Thimmes, Jerry
Conway, Jerome K. Posner, James T. Patterson, Francis Forsburgh,
Court Meyers, Philip M. Connelly, Griselda Kuhlman, George Har-
vey, William Bluhm and John G. Grady. The records of the Com-
munist collaboration and affiliations of eight of these individuals
are available from the files of the State committee.
' ' Mr. Hillman has stated that his committee intends to collect and
spend at least $2,000,000 in the 1944 State and National election
campaigns. The defeat of Congressman Starnes of Alabama and
Costello of California, each a prominent and active member of the
Dies Committee, and the political retirement of Martin Dies, is an
UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA 149
important indication of what Mr. Hillman's committee intends to
accomplish.
John L. Lewis and Sidney Hillman
"Much contradictory material has been written concerning Mr.
Hillman's attitude toward Communism. It is known that in 1922
he visited in the Soviet Union and conferred with Lenin ; that he
donated the sum of $3,000 to the Communist-controlled Jewish
newspaper 'Freheit, ' in the name of his wife, Bessie Abramowitz;
that he served as a director and trustee of the Garland Fund with
William Z. Foster, National Chairman of the Communist Party. It
is also known that Mr. Hillman professed to be anti-Communist when
the party was seeking to penetrate and control his Amalgamated
Clothing Workers Union.
1 ' The attitude of the party toward Mr. Hillman is strangely rem-
iniscent of its attitude toward John L. Lewis, the forgotten founding
father of the C. I. 0. From 1935 until 1941 the Communist press
was lavish in its praises of Lewis as the saviour of the toiling masses
of America. Thus in its monthly magazine, "The Communist,"
March, 1940, p. 201, we find the following statement :
" '. . . In short, the coalition position formulated by
President Lewis has in it the elements for transition for the
American working class to a higher stage of political activity.'
"And as part of the same article on page 203 is found this
sarcastic comment regarding Mr. Hillman, because he was then for
Roosevelt and the Communists were not:
" ' . . . Consider, for example, one of the recent expres-
sions of President Hillman of the Amalgamated Clothing
Workers, publishing a statement on the A.C.W.A. political
policy in the February issue of 'Advance,' that is after Roose-
velt's Congress message and war budget, President Hillman
manages to muster sufficient courage (or is it something else?)
to tell the workers that :
" ' ". . . there is no man in public life in whom
we can so fully and safely confide, and for the balance of
the journey." '
" 'Confide, mind you. Giving yourselves away. Entrust-
ing your fate passively and unconditionally to one of the most
militant spokesmen of Wall Street imperialism. And for 'the
balance of the journey.'
"So far as this particular issue of "The Communist" was con-
cerned, Lewis was still useful to the party and Hillman was not.
This was while the Non-Aggression Pact still existed between Ger-
many and the Soviet Union, and was prior to the invasion of Russia
on June 22, 1941. The war, so far as the Communists were con-
cerned, was still an imperialistic affair, Roosevelt was a Avannonger,
conscription was all wrong, and it was during this same period that
the party launched its potent front organization, The American
Peace Mobilization, together with an epidemic of strikes that swept
150 UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
across the Nation like a scourge. Hence this double-barrelled blast
against Messrs. Roosevelt and Hillman.
' ' In The Communist for May, 1940, there was another chance to
slip in a plug for Lewis, so his wisdom and oratorical ability were
mentioned on page 388 as follows:
" 'These practical objectives arise from the most intimate
and burning needs of the masses of the people. They are the
immediate needs of the American working class and its allies —
the toiling farmers, the youth, the Negro people and the aged.
They are the needs of the great gathering coalition for which
John L. Lewis spoke so eloquently to the miners of northern
West Virginia on April 1. '
"By 1941, however, Mr. Lewis had been squeezed dry of his use-
fulness to the Communists, so they characteristically began to pep-
per him with acid adjectives. In the October, 1943, issue of The
Communist, page 899, this blast was fired :
" 'The A. F. of L. Council's failure to accept John L. Lewis'
application for the re-affiliation of the United Mine Workers,
however, was a service to labor, and it came as a blow in the
face to that defeatist, Lewis, insolent and autocratic, who hoped
to use the A. F. of L. Council as an instrument against the war
and to split the workers away from President Roosevelt. '
' ' This was after the invasion of Russia, so the war had now become
a 'people's war,' instead of imperialistic, the American Peace
Mobilization had unobtrusively slipped into the realm of things best
forgotten, and Roosevelt was no longer a warmonger.
"In the same magazine for January, 1944, page 64, the Party
was still taking pot shots at Mr. Lewis, as follows :
" '. . . Guided by this consistence (italics ours) the
Communists have been able to exert a positive influence on
such vital issues as . . . the no-strike pledge made by labor
and the struggle to defeat and isolate the defeatist and insur-
rectionist elements led by John L. Lewis inside labor 's ranks. ' ' '
"Mr. Benjamin Stolberg, once having been a member of the
National Committee of the Communist Party, was able to shrewdly
predict the liquidation of Mr. Lewis when he stated in his article,
'Communist Wreckers in American Labor,' which appeared in the
September 2, 1939, issue of the 'Saturday Evening Post,' page 5,
that:
" 'Mr. Lewis is the Samson of American Labor; and the
Communist Party is his current Delilah. '
' ' Having gone through the unpleasant experience of being implac-
ably forced out of control of the gigantic labor organization which
he created, Lewis spoke with some degree of authority when he
stated, in effect, that both Philip Murray and Sidney Hillman were
now in the unenviable position of either collaborating with the
Communist program or being removed from the scene of American
labor without further ado.
UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA 151
' ' In the case of Mr. Hillman the party used the Lewis technique
in reverse. They hated and excoriated him when his sentiments
ran counter to the Party line attitude toward Mr. Roosevelt and the
war, and when he was resisting their efforts to take over his Cloth-
ing Workers union, but when he apparently saw the handwriting on
the wall and capitulated, he, too, was hailed as the saviour of the
toiling masses of America.
Communist Inspiration and Domination
"Few persons who are at all informed on the subject are so naive
as to believe that the conception of a Political Action Committee
originated with the C. I. 0. They are well aware, on the contrary,
that it was originated for the C. I. 0. by the Communist Party of
America. This assertion is, of course, the theme of this report, and
fortunately the Communist press heralded the event and prepared
the way for it through several years of propagandizing. Bearing
in mind that Mr. Hillman 's committee was not born until July 7,
1943, its period of gestation must have been relatively short so far
as the C. I. 0. and Mr. Hillman were concerned, because Mr. Lewis
was the darling of the party until 1941, and Mr. Hillman was being
called bad names because he was for Roosevelt, "the warmonger,"
until after the Germans invaded Russia on June 22, 1941.
' ' But as far back as 1940 the Communists had been busily prepar-
ing the ground for just such a committee. They had been quick to
see the tremendous advantage in organizing by industries rather
than by individual unions, and were not overlooking the unparalleled
opportunity to regiment labor for their own purposes through the
medium of the C. I. 0. "When John L. Lewis started the movement
he was so successful that he literally ran out of organizers, and turned
perforce to those past masters at the art — the Communists. Immed-
iately they entrenched themselves like reinforced concrete in great
key unions through which they hoped to control the industrial
strength of the Nation. Thus Federal workers, State, county and
municipal employees, agricultural workers, the unemployed, drafts-
men, engineers, technicians, maritime workers, employees in the vast
fields of transportation and communication, and workers in that
tremendously important medium for propaganda — the moving pic-
ture industry — all were insidiously penetrated by the Communists
until they attained virtual control of these powerful union organ-
izations.
' ' This did not mean that the rank and file members of these unions
were at all Communistically inclined, but it did mean that at the
top, in control, were groups of party members who pulled the strings,
hatched the political strategy, determined strike policies and com-
pletely dominated the situation. And so it went with the National
organization of the C. I. 0. until 18 of the 49 members of the National
Executive Board were either party members or fellow travelers by
the time the Political Action Committee was voted into being on July
7, 1943. Affairs of the board are determined by vote of those
members representing the largest union memberships and so a
minority group was and is able to dictate the National policies of
152 UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
the C. I. 0. Mr. Stolberg described the situation as follows in his
Saturday Evening Post article, heretofore mentioned:
' ' ' The party 's chief method of confusion is to divide its followers
into two groups : Those who admit to membership in the party and
those active fellow travellers who make it a point not to hold member-
ship cards. In the C. I. 0. virtually all the Communists are such
fellow travellers.'
" 'The moment the C. I. 0. began, the Communists placed organ-
izers, speakers, their whole apparatus, both official and "innocent"
at Lewis' disposal. Lewis accepted. The C. I. 0. needed leader-
ship. And he was certain he could control the Communist stooges.
"Who gets the bird," he asked, "the hunter or the dog?" '
" 'Several hundred fellow travellers penetrated the early C. I. 0.
Acting as a disciplined and unscrupulous minority they were soon in
dominant positions in a number of unions. More than 100 of them
got into the organization campaign of Little Steel alone. Many of
these were "volunteers," that is, supported by the party or some
innocent front. After the failure of the premature strike in Little
Steel, a great many of them were weeded out by Phil Murray, head
of the steel union. And they were largely kept out of the textile
drive by Sidney Hillman, who as head of the Amalgamated Clothing
Workers had had his troubles with them. But by the time this
sporadic house cleaning had begun, they were pretty well entrenched
throughout the C. I. 0., and were in complete control of the national
headquarters.'
Communist Long- Range Objectives
' ' In order to fully appreciate the purpose of the Communist Party
in creating and working through the C. I. 0. Political Action Com-
mittee, it is necessary to know something of the long-range objectives
of the party. The whole basic theory of Communism is this : That in
every capitalistic country there is an inevitable conflict between two
great classes, capital on the one hand, and labor on the other. Com-
munist texts refer to these classes as the 'burgeosie' and the 'pro-
letariat,' respectively. Capital controls all of the means whereby
material goods are produced ; labor produces them. As mechanical
devices for industry are perfected and as production is increased,
the power of the capitalistic minority will be increased at the expense
of the laboring minority until vast economic empires are owned by
a few individuals. It is, reason the Communists, inevitable that
this conflict and natural antagonism exist, and that with such a
concentration of wealth in the hands of a few 'economic royalists'
the working classes will be exploited, deprived of their civil liberties
and kept in a sort of involuntary bondage. Communists are taught
that the working masses in every capitalistic nation will eventually
revolt against this form of economic servitude, and that the Com-
munist Party in each of those countries — trained, disciplined and
organized according to the precepts of Communist ideology, shall
lead the toiling masses in their struggle to overthrow the capitalists.
There is only one way to eliminate the conflict between capital and
labor, maintain the Communists, and that is to liquidate capital.
The step by step technique whereby this goal is to be achieved was
UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA 153
formulated during the prelude to the Russian revolution and stands
as a pattern to be followed by the Communists everywhere.
' ' It should not be necessary to point out here that Communism is,
and always has been, international. That fact can almost be estab-
lished through current newspaper and magazine articles, but Mr.
Jack Moore, while Secretary of the Communist Party for Los Angeles
County, removed all doubt when he testified before the State Fact-
Finding Committee on Un-American Activities on July 28, 1941, as
follows :
' ' Q. By Mr. Combs : "What disciplinary power does the Execu-
tive Committee of the Comintern (Communist International)
exercise over the component groups in other countries?
"A. They are affiliated directly to the Comintern. They
have, I believe, the power to send delegates to a National Con-
vention and lay down a position of policy and propose that this
be followed.
"Q. As a matter of fact, the Executive Committee of the
Comintern can immediately, without cause, outlaw an entire
party in a country, can it not ?
"A. Well
"Q. For any reason or no reason; and, I might add further,
that there is a clause that sets that forth specifically in the Com-
munist International and the Constitution to which you just
referred.
"A. They possibly have that power. I am not acquainted
with the clause you are referring to.
"Q. I will read it to you, Mr. Moore. Reading from Article
III, Section 12 of the 1928 Constitution of the Communist Inter-
national:
1 ' ' The leading body of the Communist International in
the period between Congresses is the Executive Committee,
which gives instructions to all sections of the Communist
International and controls their activity.
" '. . . The Executive Committee of the Communist Inter-
national has the right to expel from the Communist Inter-
national, entire Sections, Groups and individual members
who violate the program and constitution of the Communist
International or the decisions of the World Congress or of
the Executive Committee of the Communist Interna-
tional.' "
"And on pages 102-103 of the transcript of Mr. Moore's testi-
mony, he explains the relationship of the American Communist
Party to the Communist International after 1940 :
" 'At the present time there is no direct relationship, or
organizational relationship, because of the passage of an Act,
I think properly called the Voorhies Act, which provided for
the prosecution of international labor organizations, — I don't
know all the details of this act.
" '. . . On November 16-17, 1940, a Special Convention
was called at that time to amend the Party Constitution,
154 UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
which, up to that time, had a clause stating that the Com-
munist Party of the United States was a Section of the
Communist International, and at that time all organizational
relationship was severed, — at the time of the Convention.'
"Last year it was announced that the Communist International
had voluntarily disbanded. Then the Communist Party of the
United States changed its name to the Communist Political Asso-
ciation. Then the Young Communist League changed its name to
American Youth for Democracy. Few people were deluded by
this camouflage job. The spots were changed, but underneath
the leopard remained the same.
"According to this testimony by an expert, the Communist
Party in the United States was completely controlled by the Inter-
national in Russia, at least until 1940. At that time the sole reason
for deleting the statement of that fact from the constitution of
the American Party was the passage of a Federal act which pro-
vided a penalty unless such foreign affiliation either be discon-
tinued or all members of the Party be registered with the United
States Department of State. Subsequent events have demonstrated
that Mr. Moore selected his words with meticulous care when he
testified that after 1940 there was no longer any 'direct' relation-
ship or 'organizational' relationship between the Comintern and
the American Party, and that this apparent severance of connec-
tion was in name only.
"For nearly a quarter of a century the Communist Party in
this country has consistently followed the exact pattern for revolu-
tion laid down by Lenin in achieving the revolution of 1917. That
technique is set forth in textbooks and pamphlets which, fortunately,
are available for reference on this point. In 1939 a commission
in the Soviet Union prepared a textbook which was printed in 24
languages. Twelve million copies of the first edition were shipped
to every country in the world where a Communist Party existed,
and within five months after the first batch arrived more than
80,000 copies were sold in the United States. Of this highly
important work, Earl Browder said:
' ' ' This is no ordinary book to be skimmed through and then
laid aside on a bookshelf. It is a scientific textbook to be
studied and mastered, not a collection of dogmas to be mem-
orized, not for mechanical quotation of extracts, but to under-
stand the essence of the theory of Marxism-Leninism so that
it can be applied to the most varied and difficult problems
and situations, so that this theory can be enriched with the
new experiences of the revolutionary working class movement
also of our own country.' (Advertisement in "The Com-
munist/' September, 1939.)
"This text, studied assiduously by Communists everywhere,
describes in elaborate detail the strategy employed by Lenin and
Stalin in engineering the revolution of 1917. Over and over
again it emphasizes that the Party in any capitalist country must
commence its revolutionary work by a long process of penetrating
and ultimately gaining control of the working masses. Over and
UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA 155
over again the Communist press in this country has stated that
the American Communists constitute the vanguard of the work-
ing class, and constantly have the Communists worked since the
Party started here in 1919 to regiment and indoctrinate the trade
union movement so it would wield a potent influence at the polls
— naturally in accord with the Party line. Once this stage of
influence was gained, the Communists would be in a position to
replace those sound and able legislators who refused to carry the
Party line with individuals who would be more tractable. This
textbook, in describing how labor was regimented as a prelude to
the 1917 revolution, states :
" 'The Bolshevik Party during this period set an example
in all forms and manifestations of the class struggle of the
proletariat. It built up illegal organizations. It issued ille-
gal pamphlets. It carried on secret revolutionary work among
the leadership of the various legally existing organizations
of the working class. The Party strove to win over the trade
unions and gain influence in people's houses, evening univer-
sities, clubs and sick benefit societies.
" '. . . ' The Revolutionary movement of the workers
steadily developed, spreading to town after town, region after
region. In the beginning of 1914, the workers' strikes, far
from subsiding, acquired a new momentum, they became more
and more stubborn and embraced ever larger numbers of
workers.' (History of the Communist Party of the Soviet
Union).
"This attempt at revolution was interrupted by the first World
War, but thereafter, as the book points out, efforts to penetrate
and regiment the workers were resumed with telling effect. This,
then proved to be the first all-important step along the path of
revolution.
"In 1926 Joseph Stalin wrote :
" 'Confidence of the working class in the Party is not
attained at one stroke, and not through the medium of force
directed at the working class, but by the Party's prolonged
work among the masses, by a correct Party policy, by the
ability of the Party to convince the masses through their own
experience of the correctness of its policy, and by the ability
of the Party to gain the support of the working class to follow
its lead.' (Problems of Leninism, by Joseph Stalin, pp. 44-51) .
' ' In America Earl Browder followed this basic precept by instruct-
ing his Party as follows :
' ' ' Trade unions are the primary organizations of the work-
ing class. It is in the unions that the workers learn the first
lessons of organization and of struggle, without which there
can be no development of revolutionary consciousness. Con-
sequently, Communists have always emphasized that one of
their central tasks is to work within the trade unions. We
can not win the majority of the working class for our program
156 UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
unless we base all of our large-scale, united working front upon
united activities within the unions.
1 1 i rj^g Tracie Unions are schools in which the workers learn
the elementary lessons of the class struggle, and through them
they grow into more conscious and more effective fighters against
capitalism.' (What Is Communism? bv Earl Browder, pp.
109-110).
Rehearsals for Revolution
"The extent to which these principles have been carefully fol-
lowed in the United States can be seen in the technique used in the
San Joaquin Valley cotton strike of 1933, and the San Francisco
general strike of 1934. Much material is available concerning these
two dress rehearsals for revolution, the best of which is a booklet
by William F. Dunne, entitled, 'The Great San Francisco General
Strike,' Workers Library Publishers, New York, 1934, wherein the
role played by the Communist Party in that strike is frankly dis-
cussed, and which contains a critical resolution by the national
committee of the party which reads, in part, as follows :
" 'The outstanding shortcomings in the whole development
of the strike on the West Coast was the inability to develop the
strikes of the marine workers in other ports (Atlantic and
Gulf) and to coordinate the strikes that did take place (Gulf)
with that of the West Coast. This was to a certain extent due
to the underestimation of the marine strike on the West Coast
by the Party as a whole, and especially the marine districts.
' ' ' The comrades responsible for the leadership of the Party
in San Francisco expressed their main weakness in a slowness
and even hesitancy in taking up the exposure of Ryan and
Compan3r, in the weakness in answering the red-baiting cam-
paign of the capitalists and the A. F. of L. bureaucrats, in the
insufficient bringing forward of the Party and building it
among the strikers. These weaknesses reflect a tendency which
believes that the development of unity of action on the part
of the workers is possible by weakening the fight against the
A. F. of L. bureaucrats, who, in every phase and stage of the
strike, were actively engaged in strike-breaking. A further
weakness was the inability to coordinate the strike in the various
ports on the Pacific Coast, where the two Party districts worked
on the whole without adequate contacts. '
' ' Thus it can be seen, out of the mouths of the Communists them-
selves, how their pattern for gaining control of the trade union
movement was formulated in Russia, reiterated by Stalin, written
into the Party's social textbook and tested and subjected to critical
analysis in the strike described above. That was the pattern which
was being followed while the Communists were penetrating the
C. I. 0. until they were able to eliminate Mr. Lewis from his position
of control and dictate the policies themselves. The idea of con-
solidating the masses into one formidable political body found
expression in their press while the Party was still lambasting its
UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA 157
current idol, Mr. Hillman, as the foe of labor. 'The Communist'
for February, 1940, stated on pages 104-108 :
" 'Because it incorporates most of the essential needs and
demands of the masses at the present time, the legislative pro-
gram of the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) rep-
resents in fact a practical basis on which to build the fighting
unity of the working people of the United States.
" '. . . They will gain such an understanding through
the experiences of the struggle, deepened and illuminated by
the political work of the revolutionary vanguard of the work-
ing class — the Communist Party.'
"And in the March, 1944, issue of the same publication the
following statement appeared on page 218 :
" 'In every city, State and Congressional district in the
country all the forces of organized labor and other win-the-war
elements should come together and set up joint committees.
These should take up the urgent task of politically registering
the millions of uprooted war workers and also develop other
active political work in support of the war. Preparations must
be made for labor to cast a solid win-the-war vote in 1944. '
"In many of the Communist-dominated unions this 'encourage-
ment' and 'stimulation' consisted in withholding the union cards
from the individual members until they first registered to vote —
thereby depriving the members of the right to work as a penalty
for failing to do something which should be none of the union's
business.
"During the many years that a slow but steady penetration was
being made in the ranks of organized labor, the party has always
been alert to take immediate advantage of any internal conflict,
such as a depression, to recruit additional members into its fold.
In 1939 thousands of migratory agricultural workers poured into
the State from the dust bowl area, driven from their farms
and homes by an economic condition with which they were
unable to cope. At that time California was operating a
State Relief Administration, and these migrants were housed,
fed and clothed through this agency. Here was a magnificent
opportunity for mass propagandizing, and consequently the Com-
munists herded the applicants for relief into a union for the unem-
ployed— the Workers Alliance. The president of this typical front
organization was Alexander Noral, a registered Communist. The
State Belief Administration was literally permeated with Commu-
nists who operated through the medium of another union, the State,
County and Municipal Workers of America, of whioh Abraham
Flaxer, a member of the C. I. 0. National Executive Board, is presi-
dent. After a residence of one year the migrants became eligible
to vote, and were told by the Communist organizers that they must
register to vote for more liberal legislators to obtain higher appro-
priations for relief to bring more migrants into the State. This
vicious circle had reached an alarming peak when the entire situa-
tion was fumigated by an Assembly Investigating Committee and
158 UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
the subversive condition disclosed. The ranks of both unions were
rapidly decimated, which provoked the following angry statement
from President Flaxer :
" 'In California the Yorty Committee succeeded in destroying
a union of 3,500 members in the State Relief Administration. '
' ' Under existing conditions there is another, far greater artificial
population which has been brought into this State by the need for
war workers by the hundreds of thousands. The Douglas Aircraft
plants in Los Angeles County alone employ some 80,000 persons.
Virtually all of these workers are required to join a union before
they are permitted to work. In those unions which are Communist-
dominated the same old technique has been used with success — the
same technique that was formulated by Lenin, reiterated by Stalin,
taught by the Third International, hammered home by the Com-
munist press, set forth in the Party's official textbook and subjected
to field experiment, with appropriate critical analysis, in the San
Francisco general strike, to-wit : Penetration and regimentation of
the trade union masses.
' ' The rank and file membership in the average union is too busy
to study the complex ideology of Communism. They are loyal,
patriotic citizens and far from Communistically inclined ; but they
are powerless because their union, both nationally and locally, is
Communist-dominated at the top.
Communist Control of Legislatures
' ' There is a constant barrage of propaganda leveled at those legis-
lators who presume to vote contrary to the Party line. They are
called enemies of organized labor, tools of big business, Wall Street
stooges and traitors to their constituents. Any legislative inves-
tigating committee which has the temerity to investigate Communist
activities is immediately branded as Fascist, Fifth Column, a tool
of Hitler and thoroughly unpatriotic. The most shop-worn accusa-
tion now is to charge that whenever anyone investigates the Ameri-
can variety of Communism, he is being ' anti-Soviet, ' and is there-
fore dividing the people against their war ally, and obstructing the
war effort ! It is needless to point out that there isn 't supposed
to be any connection between the Russian and American Commun-
ists any more. By the same specious reasoning, if a group of
American citizens of English descent sought to overthrow our form
of government and to substitute therefor the British governmental
system with a royal family, anyone who sought to expose and pre-
vent the plan would be anti-British and a menace to the war effort.
"And so the Communists have carried on for nearly twenty-five
years, and during that time they have made tremendous progress.
The facts speak for themselves. It is not hysteria, nor witch-hunt-
ing, nor red-baiting to simply cite the record for what it shows.
And if the Communist Party is successful, through the Political
Action Committee, in replacing sound, courageous legislators with
those who will be subservient to the Party line — and we have a few
already — then we must be prepared for the sort of legislation the
Party has been advocating these many years : Repeal of the Criminal
UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA 159
Syndicalism laws, abolition of all committees to investigate subver-
sive activities, abolition of the FBI, etc.
' ' Steadfastly adhering to the concept that it must first penetrate
and regiment labor as the initial step in its revolutionary program,
American Communists seized on the structure of the CIO through
which to operate in this field. Once they obtained control of the
structure of that great organization they promptly unhorsed Mr.
Lewis and set up the CIO Political Action Committee, which is Com-
munist-dominated from top to bottom. In California the State-wide
activities of that Committee are controlled by Communists whose
records are known to every official investigating agency in the field.
' ' Too many members of State and National legislative bodies view
statements — although documented — regarding Communist activ-
ities as the product of hysteria. It is precisely this sort of indiffer-
ence and apathy to a profoundly serious condition that makes the
progress of the Communists comparatively easy. Only when labor,
and industry as well, can be brought to view the situation in its true
light; only when resistance to such insidious subversive influence
comes from motives that are patriotic rather than financial or poli-
tical can this problem be dealt with adequately.
"Meanwhile, the C.I.O. Political Action Committee constitutes a
menacing subversive force in the Nation and in this State. ' '
Destruction of Legislative Investigating Committees
The Communist organizations throughout California, Communist fel-
low-travelers and naive "progressive" and "liberal" innocents, have
combined, under Communist inspiration and domination, in a campaign
of vilification and "smear" against this Legislative Committee. The
C. I. 0. Political Action Committee, with the same inspiration and dom-
ination, is determined to destroy all agencies that investigate subversive
activities. The defeat of Congressman John Costello of Los Angeles
and other members of the Dies Committee is an illustration of their
strength and success in this direction. A special legislative supplement
to the Communist publication in California, "The People's Daily
World," has just launched a campaign for the discontinuance of this
Legislative Committee. On page 5 of the supplement under the head-
ing printed in red, "The Tenney Committee Should oe Blacked Out,"
is the following :
"Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 2 would extend the life of
the Tenney Committee, and appropriate $10,000.00 for its expenses.
This Committee which has functioned like the discredited 'Dies
Committee' on Un-American activities in the House of Representa-
tives, has failed to indict activity of a Fascist-inspired character,
and has instead devoted its time and the taxpayer's money to red-
baiting and smear campaigns against progressive and pro-labor
individuals and groups.
"It should be sent to well merited oblivion by the defeat of this
Resolution, which has been referred to the Senate Committee on
Rules."
Every Communist front organization will be utilized to pressure the
California Legislature during the 1945 Regular Session for the discon-
tinuance of the committee investigating subversive activities.
1.60 UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
"ZOOT-SUIT" RIOTS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Pages 200 to 217, inclusive, of the Committee's 1943 Report dealt with
the Sinarquisia movement in Southern California. At the time the com-
mittee submitted its report to the Legislature there was but little informa-
tion available on this organization. Subsequent investigation of the
Sinarquistas and its leaders has substantiated, for the greater part, most
of the material set forth in the Committee's 1943 Report.
The Pachuco, or so-called "zoot-suit," fad among Negro and Mexican
youth in Los Angeles ' east side was a golden opportunity for Communist
racial agitation. The riots that occurred in June of 1943, together with
the activities of certain Communist front organizations and the vocif-
erous charges of the Communist press, forcefully brought the situation
to the attention of the Committee. An intensive investigation of the
Sinarquista movement, its leaders, its aims and objectives, the Pachucos,
or " zoot-suiters, " Communist interest and agitation, and the relation of
one to the other of these apparently heterogeneous groups, was immedi-
ately launched.
Gangs of Mexican and Negro boys, garbed in the fantastic costumes
now generally known as ' ' zoot-suits, ' ' had been roaming the streets of
the east side of the City of Los Angeles since early in 1941. Many of
these boys were armed with clubs, knives, brass knuckles and links of
chains. Every properly attired ' ' zoot-suiter ' ' wore heavy-soled oxfords.
In extreme cases the soles of these ' ' zoot-suit ' ' oxfords were in excess of
an inch thick and when properly used in a gang fight became formidable
weapons. United States sailors and soldiers were assaulted on the streets
and in cocktail bars by groups of ' 'zoot-suiters" and violent disturbances
were reported from time to time. Early in June of 1943, the long-
smouldering antagonism flared into violence.
PACHUCO CRIMES
C. B. Horrall, Chief of the Police Department of the City of Los
Angeles, testified that it was the policy of his department to make an
arrest whenever a violation of the law occurred. Carrying concealed
weapons is a violation of the law and many Mexican boys were arrested
for this offense. Chief Horrall stated that the first Pachuco, or "zoot-
suit," disturbances began early in 1941. He stated that the boys
were divided into a number of gangs who clashed from time to time.
He had heard of the Citizens' Committee for the Defense of Mexican-
American Youth and its activities and had been informed that some
of the people connected with the organization were members of the Com-
munist Party. It was the Chief's opinion that the organization was a
Communist Party "front." He believed that the Committee for the
Defense of Mexican- American Youth, and similar organizations, inflamed
racial prejudices, and in the Pachuco, or "zoot-suit," problem, had con-
tributed to the conflagration by constantly stirring and fomenting
antagonisms through hysterical activities. He categorically denied
charges made by Al Waxman in the "Eastside Journal," Charlotta Bass
in the ' ' California Eagle ' ' and the Communist publication, ' ' The Peoples '
Daily World" that the police had been brutal in handling participants
in the riots. He testified that no specific case of brutality on the part
UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA 161
of the police had come to his attention, but, on the contrary, that during
the disturbances, 10 or 15 police officers had received serious injury.
Chief Horrall's testimony, in part, follows (Com. Tr., Vol. XIX.
pp. 4443-4445) :
By Senator Tenney : Q. Do you believe these disturbances were
principally due to racial prejudice and discrimination?
A. I have to go back a ways in answering that question to give —
at least, for me to express my opinion, because the thing goes back
a ways, that's what I meant to say, Mr. Tenney.
Q. First, you might answer that yes or no, if you can. The ques-
tion again is: Do you believe racial prejudice and discrimination
was the basic cause for this disturbance ?
A. I do not.
Q. Now, go ahead and modify in any way you want.
A. These disturbances, of course, started with the Latin- American
gang situation, which was among themselves, up until approximately
a year ago ; that is, there were fights between different gangs, differ-
ent members of the gangs, and were confined almost entirely to
themselves. However, about a year ago we had a little difficulty
down at San Pedro, wherein they got mixed up with the sailors
down there. That was the first I knew of where they got outside of
their own gangs. When we had another disturbance here about
three or four months ago in Venice, where there was reported that
an attempt was made to break up a USO dance down there, and then
this latest, which, according to the reports I have, started in the
north end up here around the 1700 block on North Main Street as,
apparently, the result of some of the sailors making advances to some
Mexican girls or talking to them. I don't know whether it went
any farther than that, and it startsd the difficulties, and then there
was retaliation back and forth between this particular group up
there and the sailors until it reached the place where it got some
publicity in the papers, and that was what caused the gangs to con-
gregate downtown that night and brought the crowd all out. How-
ever, some people have chosen to call it riots ; I don't think it should
be classified as that. And the feeling in general among them was
one of fun and sport rather than malice. Quite a few of the boys
had their clothes torn off, but the crowds weren't particularly hard
to handle; they were large, but we had no difficulty in breaking
them up ; they would go a couple of blocks away and form there.
There were no attacks made on policemen.
Another point I would like to make: While there were a great
many service men in those crowds and quite a few civilians, and
many of those crowds were led from place to place by civilians, not
service men, and in some instances those individuals were reported
to be of Latin-American extraction.
Q. Now, were arrests made, chief, strictly for protection of those
people ?
A. There were quite a few which were taken in for their own
protection.
Q. Does that account in any sense for the amount of people thai
were arrested?
162 UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
A. In those eases no one was booked, but for their own protection
they were taken into the station and kept there until such time as
they could safely be allowed on the street.
Q. Did you find any Axis or fifth column — what you might term
Axis or fifth column — influence?
A. Nothing that I could prove. Repeatedly I heard claims that
there were subversive influences connected with this, but I have no
proof of that.
Q. Of course, in the opinion of the committee, the subversive influ-
ences could be from either the Communist side or the Axis.
A. I have heard both.
Q. The Communist committees have claimed Axis fifth column
influence, and we have investigated as to the Sinarquista end. You
have no independent knowledge of fifth column activity?
A. No, only the report the Sinarquistas did have some influence
in it. We were never able to find out whether they did or not. ' '
Captain Contreras, of the sheriff's office, testified (Committee tran-
script, Volume XIX, pp. 4563-4565) :
They have a situation out in East Los Angeles, of course, they
have a large Mexican population, and there is about 30 to 40
thousand Mexicans live there, and they have about 300 so-called
hoodlums out there in gangs, various gangs.
Q. Did you through your office or with the assistance of the
sheriff's department in general make any survey of the so-called
zoot-suit problem?
A. We have.
Q. Do you have the data available ?
A. I have some of it, sir. There was on the night of June 18th,
10 or 15 arrests made of boys ranging from 17 to 19 years old. Each
one of these were charged with failure to disperse, inciting a riot
at the time of arrest, and the following weapons were found in their
possession : Two steel bars, one large truck wrench, three tire irons,
3 iron wrenches, one hammer, one auto crank, 4 pieces of two by four
lumber, one gallon milk bottle, one large Seven-Up bottle. The
arresting officers said when the gangs were being surrounded they
started throwing their weapons. Subject Moreno was identified by
the officer as being one of the gang who had a half gallon milk bottle
with the bottom broken off, and was leading the gang. We had
from time to time 10 to 15 arrests in that part of the County, and
the cases are still pending, most of them.
The committee requested Captain J. F. Reed, Administrative Assistant
to the Chief of Police of the City of Los Angeles, to present police officers
who had been involved in the "zoot-suit" riots. On the afternoon of
June 23, 1943, Captain Reed appeared before the committee with the
police officers, as requested, and made the following general statement
for the record (Comm. Tript, Vol. XIX, pp. 4450-4453) :
By Chairman Tenney : Q. Captain, I spoke to you over the phone,
and I think it was the other day with reference to the officers that
had been involved in some of these disturbances. Were you able
to bring the names of any of the officers today ?
UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA 163
A. Yes, sir, I have 15 officers who have been injured in such type
of activity, and they are all here today. I have a list of those and
the different times whereby they were injured during the riots in
places of that type.
Q. Are the officers here ?
A. Yes, the majority of them were subpenaed for 3 o'clock. I
have the background of the first gang outbreak that we had.
Q. "We would like to have that very much. Go right ahead.
A. The first outbreak that we had in Los Angeles which was of
major importance was on 8-16-41, at 11 o'clock. I have the two
officers who handled the original investigation, but I will endeavor
to give you a short synopsis of what happened. A dance was being
held over on Boundary Street ; that 's over in the Rose Hill section
of Huntington Drive; whereby many of the Mexican boys of this
pachuco type and girls attended a dance. A rival gang came over
and tried to bust the dance up and take some of the girls away.
They weren't very successful. They proceeded to arm themselves
— across the street was a picket fence, and they tore all the pickets
off the fence, and they armed themselves and started to fight. They
were finally turned away, and they proceeded to go down the street
and get into an automobile and lay in wait for the group to break
up. As the group broke up later that night a car with two or three
youngsters, I don 't exactly know how many were in that car, but as
they came down the street this car was in hiding and pulled out
alongside, directly hit and turned it over, killing two of the occu-
pants. That was the first gang outbreak of any importance.
Q. When was that?
A. 8-16-41. Officer Joe "Willis was the radio ear officer who
answered the call, and Officer J. E. Hampton, who made the investi-
gation, are here, and they can go into those facts more thoroughly
than I can. Then, as conditions grew worse throughout the Mexi-
can area, they attacked only those of Latin-American extraction.
Wherever there was a party or a dance or home gathering, these
groups would travel around in caravans of cars, and pull up in
front of the house and demand everything they had to eat in the
house or drink, they took over, and if anybody objected they were
beaten up. We received complaints about that from the Mexicans.
A man by the name of Torrez of East Los Angeles came into the
police department with Joe D. Rivera and complained about condi-
tions. He didn 't feel his family was safe or anybody, and he asked
the police department take action against these hoodlums. Of
course, we were all the time making arrests of various groups, and
I have several reports of interest showing the type of crimes they
were committing. They attacked a young girl 14 years of age.
There were five or six different boys that attacked this girl, and it
was necessary for the officer to club them off the child before they
could get them in custody. In many cases they grab a young couple,
tie the escort up, rape the girl and then urinate on them. Just
recently there was an attack made with five boys, in Pachuco suits,
they raped a 56 year old negro woman, and all raped her, and one of
the boys was 14 years old, approximately 14 years old, and while
he raped her the others held her at the point of a knife. Then they
164 UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
offered her a drink of wine, which she refused, and then they drank
the wine and then urinated in the bottle and forced her to drink out
of this bottle. That is some of the types of things that have been
going on.
After the Sleepy Lagoon thing they gradually started to attack
other people. They got out of the Latin- American group and went
into other nationalities ; then along came the service men, the sailors ;
they came into the area and they were attacked. If they were on
the street talking to girls or things like that, for no reason at all
15 or 16 boys would jump on one service man. We have had
numerous complaints about that. They would go into the Negro
section, and there were many arrests made on many of these cases.
Four zoot-suiters held up a station operator, who was shot, and
they did go out of Los Angeles County into San Bernardino, River-
side, Ventura and so forth. We have information from San Ber-
nardino and Riverside of crimes being committed, which seem to be
the same type as these gangs. Wilmington seems to have the same
type of gang. They seem to be very close to the induction center
of the Army, they are very closely situated to the induction center
in Wilmington, and in Ventura, which has also had considerable
difficulty. Coming back to the present so-called riot in the down-
town area, the night of June 7th, about 5,000 people were involved
at one time, and there were civilians, soldiers and everybody who
heard about it over the radio came down, and it made it extremely
difficult to handle. We had no difficulty or trouble in breaking them
up, they didn 't resist the officers at all ; but if a group of service men
were broken up they formed in another place, but always leading
each group there was always a civilian, either a Mexican or Negro or
white ; and as we eliminated the leaders from the service groups, by
11 o'clock at night we had eliminated most of the leaders, all the
civilians, and we had the thing under control whereby there were
no more assaults."
Captain Reed went on to explain that during a period from June 1
to June 10, 1943, 187 juveniles were arrested in connection with the
' ' zoot-suit ' ' riots. Most of these arrests occurred on June 7th. Forty-
eight of these defendants were charged as incorrigibles, beyond the
control of their parents under Section 700 of the Welfare and Institu-
tions Code; eight were charged with assault with a deadly weapon;
nine with battery ; 56 for violation of Penal Code Section 407, unlawful
assembly; three with carrying concealed weapons, 25 for violation of
the Municipal Code, Section 505, loitering, and 38 for violation of the
curfew law. Two hundred juveniles, in addition, were brought to the
police station and after being questioned, released and sent home to
their parents. Between January 1, 1942, and June 10, 1943, Captain
Reed listed, in addition to the foregoing, a total of 134 crimes charged
to suspects wearing "zoot-suits." These crimes included 21 burglaries,
one attempted burglary, one grand theft, 18 petty thefts, three petty
thefts for motor vehicles, 63 robberies, six attempted robberies, nineteen
thefts from persons, and two worthless checks. Between October 1,
1942, and June 14, 1943, 316 persons wearing "zoot-suits" were arrested
and charged with various crimes. Eighteen of these defendants were
UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA 165
White or Caucasian, 133 were Negroes and 165 were Mexicans.
Captain Reed's description of one of the disturbances is typical
(Com. Tran., Vol. XIX, pp. 4461-4462) ■
Captain Reed : A. I have one other of the 77th district. This
report I am going to read from is Captain Richard Simon's report,
the 77th division, Los Angeles Police Department. This excerpt
says (reading) :
"On the night of June 9th, 1943, about 200 service men, all
armed with wooden clubs, boards, iron bars, and other weapons
appeared in "Watts in 52 commandeered cars. As our force was
insufficient to effect a mass arrest without the necessity for a pitched
battle, these men were in effect shepherded by the available officers
and prevented from injuring persons or property. The doors of
two houses were forced, but no one injured. A wearer of a zoot-
suit was taken from his seat in a theatre, but officers released him
at once and removed the service men from the theatre. The keys
were taken from many of the cars and the service men held on
102nd Street until help arrived. At the same time the theatre
entry was made, a gang of approximately 100 Negro and Mexican
boys threw rocks at officers and auxiliary policemen at 103rd and
Graham Streets. This group was dispersed. Had the service men
been aware of this gang, a violent riot would surely have resulted.
This gang later drove about the "Watts area and the Graham district
to the north in a large truck disturbing the peace. I know of no
personal injury received by anyone during the evening. More
rocks were thrown through windows of P. E. trains. Resume of
police action :
"1. About 100 service men turned over to military police and
shore patrol.
"2. Thirteen adults arrested for disturbing the peace (above
gang).
"3. Twenty-five juveniles arrested for unlawful assembly (above
gang) .
"4. About 55 juveniles on the street taken to "Watts Station,
questioned by juvenile officers and released.
"5. Curiosity seekers dispersed."
It gives you kind of an idea about this situation. You can
readily see service men were picked up and turned over to the
proper authorities, as well as the Mexican boys, Negro boys and
Whites.
C. L. Christopher, member of the Los Angeles City Police Depart-
ment for nearly 20 years, testified June 23, 1943. His testimony, in
part, follows (Com. Tran., Vol. XIX, pp. 4474-4476) :
Mr. Combs : Q. Where were you on 7-26-42 approximately at
7.15?
A. I was in the vicinity of Pomray and Marks.
Q. How did you happen to be there at that time ?
A. We were called. I work in a two-man radio car, and we
drove by and attempted to disperse a large group of Mexicans
who were holding a crap game on the sidewalk of the public streets.
166 UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
Q. About how many persons were present at the time you got
there ?
A. Approximately 40 to 50.
Q. Now, tell us please concisely what happened which resulted
in injuries to you at that time and place.
A. Officer Hawks, Officer Hutman, Officer Karat and myself
responded to the call, and when we got there we observed — we
drove up in a plain colored car and observed what was going on,
and we jumped into the crowd and grabbed the ones in the act of
gambling, attempted to place them in the car, and as we did a riot
started.
Q. Did you see them gambling ?
A. We did. During the melee there was one woman and her
husband, he was in the United States Army uniform or a Marine,
and they started yelling and saying they were not going and egging
the Mexicans on and calling us loud profane names and agitating
the crowd, and as fast as we put the defendants in the car for
creating the disturbance, someone would go around to the other
side of the car and jerk the car door open and take the people out,
and they were pushing us around and tearing our clothes off of
us and separating us from our defendants and the radio car. Dur-
ing the melee one of the Mexicans had a knife or a piece of glass,
and he was swinging it back and forth and it slit my finger across
here (indicating). We were successful in taking three defendants
away with us, and they went before the Grand Jury and they were
bound over by the Grand Jury, and the attorneys representing
them rather than go to trial compromised with the District Attor-
ney, and Mr. Shoemaker, who was in charge of that detail, entered
a plea before Judge Scott. Judge Scott gave them the maximum
amount of penalty and suspended the sentence to five days, and
placed the ones we had up on two years probation.
Q. Were any other officers with you at that time also injured?
A. Not to the extent of having to receive medical attention.
We were all more or less soaked with water. Some of the Mexicans
ran up and grabbed the water and threw it all over us.
Q. During the occurrence of that incident could you discern
a general attitude of defiance and contempt for the things you
were trying to do on the part of the crowd?
A. We have had that in every arrest during the last year or
year and a half among the Mexicans.
Q. A feeling of defiance?
A. I have worked among the Mexican people out of my time
probably 10 or 11 years.
Q. Prior to that time up to a year and a half ago did they view
the police department with more respect than they have since?
A. We got assistance. I worked the beat which was then called
Mexican from Sunset to College, and from Alameda to Figueroa
Street, and at that time we got a world of cooperation from the
Mexicans. It used to be if a police officer was involved, instead
of having them against us, they were against their own race of
people and would help.
UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA 167
Q. So this attitude of defiance and contempt and lack of coop-
eration, viciousness which has been exhibited, has all arisen during
the last year and a half ?
A. That's right.
# # # # #
Q. Were you injured on any other occasion ?
A. I was.
Q. When was the next occasion ?
A. 10-17-42 at 3.30 a.m.
Q. At what locality ?
A. In front of 2321 East First Street.
Q. How did you happen to be there at that time ?
A. Officer Karat and I was down in the south part and we heard
a riot call at that address. When we arrived the officers had been
there and taken care of the difficulty ; that is the Carioca Restaurant,
which is a very respectable place, in the Hollenbeck district, cater-
ing to married people and elderly people. So we stopped and were
talking to the lady, and asked her what the trouble was and she
informed us that there was a band of zoot-suits, and because she
wouldn 't serve beer and let them have the free run of the place, they
had practically wrecked it and the officers had arrested five or six,
but there were probably ten or fifteen that had gotten away. While
we were talking we observed an automobile backing approximately
35 or 40 miles an hour, first on one side of the street and then the
other, and then come to a stop in behind our car, and Officer Karat
stepped back to ask the driver of the automobile what the matter
was, and he started cussing Officer Karat and reached down to
pick up an iron he had on the floor, a piece of spring steel. I jumped
out of the car and ran back to assist. I thought from my first obser-
vation that he was full of marihuana. We got him out of the car,
and it took four of us to handcuff him. A large crowd gathered,
and I think we could have had an awfully nice mess. In trying to
put the handcuffs on he bit my thumb on the right hand and two
of my fingers on the left hand, necessitating medical attention and
shots of tetanus.
Q. Had he been smoking marihuana 1
A. He had not. . . .
Carl R. Ericson, an officer in the Los Angeles Police Department, testi-
fied that he was attacked at about 5.45 p.m. on January 15, 1943, between
Fifth and Sixth Streets on Pacific and San Pedro. His testimony, in
part, follows (Com. Tr., Vol. XIX, pp. 4485-4486) :
A. I was patroling the beat, and I made my hourly ring, and my
attention was drawn to a crowd of people half way between Fifth
and Sixth Streets. I thought someone had been injured, so I started
towards them. I entered through the crowd, and Alfonso Sandoval
yelled, 'It's a cop.'
Q. Were you in uniform ?
A. In full uniform. He started towards me and grabbed me, and
another assailant started towards me, and two more — there were
about 10 or 12 actually in physical combat. In the middle of the
fight Sandoval grabbed my badge and started striking me. I held
168 UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
him at arm 's distance and didn 't strike him at all, I held him away,
and while I was holding him Roy Huhta, an ex-pug, swung and struck
me on the right cheek.
Q. With his fist?
A. With his fist. I released Sandoval, and another Mexican
Pachuco that was coming in on the left and grabbed Huhta and
slugged Huhta, and Huhta went down. That is the first blow I
struck.
Q. Did you use your night stick ?
A. I didn't have any night stick or any sap — I had been on the
motorcycle.
Q. Did you have a gun ?
A. I had a gun, yes.
Q. Did you use it?
A. Not with the amount of people — there was 50 or 75 people at
the beginning of the fight.
Q. How were you injured?
A. I had some teeth knocked out in the lower jaw.
Q. Did it require dental or medical care ?
A. It required the dentist 's attention.
Q. How many Pachucos would you estimate were present on that
occasion ?
A. There was about — mingled in the crowd, there was about 30 —
20 to 30 actual Pachucos.
Q. What was the attitude of the crowd towards you, cooperative
or hostile ?
A. The crowd was neutral.
Q. How about the Pachucos, what was their attitude ?
A. Antagonistic. . . .
John J. Halloran, also an officer with the Los Angeles Police Depart-
ment, told the committee of receiving a radio call to investigate a ' ' gang
attack" on a service station at 800 North Mission Road in Los Angeles.
(Com. Tr., Vol. XIX, pp. 4489-4494.) Pie testified that, in the com-
pany of two other officers, he drove to the locality indicated in the radio
call and upon arriving found a man badly beaten, covered with blood,
cut about the face and stabbed in the back. The victim 's nose had almost
been severed from his face. Securing a description of the assailants and
their car the officers cruised about the neighborhood and eventually
picked up their trail. A woman directed them to a house where fifteen
or twenty of them had taken refuge. Officer Halloran 's testimonv con-
tinues (Com. Tr., Vol. XIX, pp. 4492-4493) :
A. . . . the lights were turned off in the house, but we heard
a commotion inside and we started to enter, at which time the people
in the house — there were about 15 or 20 — I think probably about
20 in the house. When they saw us coming some of them tried to
make their escape, and three of them rushed at me from the front
door, and I don 't know who shot, but I heard a shot about that time
coming from the direction of the house, and I pulled my gun and
ordered these three to halt, which they didn 't do and I shot two of
them and effected the arrest of those, and the other two officers and
myself arrested 12 altogether in the house.
UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA 169
Q. The two you shot were in the act of running away, were they?
A. At the time I shot them.
Q. And you ordered them to halt ?
A. Yes.
Q. Which thev refused to do ?
A. Yes.
Q. The first shot you heard wasn't fired by you or any of the
officers with you ?
A. No, it wasn't.
Q. What happened to the two prisoners that you shot ?
A. They recovered.
Q. They both recovered ?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. And you say you effected the arrest of 12 altogether?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. What was their attitude toward you and the other officers when
you were effecting their arrests ?
A. They were very belligerent, they put up some resistance. The
other two officers were both struck by these defendants during the
arrests, but we finally got them quieted and put them in the cars
and took them to the station.
Q. Did you have to use any other means of force to subdue them?
A. I didn't myself, but I believe Officer Stevens and Officer Eutis
both did.
Q. Used their saps?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. Were they Pachucos ?
A. Yes.
Q. And arrested in Pachuco suits?
A. Yes.
Officer Vance Brasher of the Los Angeles Police Department testified
as follows (Com. Tr., Vol. XIX, pp. 4494-4498) :
Mr. Combs: Q. You were here when Captain Reed related the
circumstances affecting you in connection with the Pachuco dis-
turbance, were you not ?
A. Yes.
Q. On what date did that difficulty occur ?
A. November 26th, 1942.
Q. At what time?
A. Approximately 9.30 in the morning.
Q. Were you in plain clothes or uniform?
A. Plain clothes.
Q. Do you habitually work in plain clothes?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. Where did the disturbance take place?
A. 276 Clover Street.
Q. What part of the city is that?
A. The east side of town.
Q. How did you happen to go there ?
A. The detective bureau had advised us that a Mexican — there
was three of them — the previous night had knocked a woman down
170 UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
over in Hollywood and snatched her purse, and in doing so one
of the Pachucos had dropped an identification card, and they
informed us the fellow lived at 276 Clover Street, so we went over
to establish the address.
Q. When you say we, who do you mean?
A. My partner, Tom Buckley and I.
Q. You were in a patrol car ?
A. We staked out from 10.30 of the 25th until the time it occurred,
approximately 9.30 of the 26th. At the time we had information
he was in the house. My partner went around to the back, and I
went to the front, so in case he ran out of the back my partner would
get him, and I entered the front door. He was lying inside, and
as I pulled the screen door he stuck a gun in my face and fired.
Q. Where did he shoot you ?
A. The jaw, here (indicating).
Q. And you are indicating the scar ?
A. And it came out down the back of my neck (indicating).
Q. What happened, did you go down?
A. Momentarily. As I came to, my partner came running in,
and Vallez, he jumped over me and run down the street. I pulled
my gun and shot six times at him.
Q. Did you hit him?
A. I started to reload, but in the meantime my partner came
running in and chased him and cornered him down between two
houses, and he had to shoot him at that point before he took him.
We took him to the receiving hospital, he didn't die.
Q. He didn't die?
A. No, he didn 't.
Q. What happened to him, was he prosecuted?
A. He was prosecuted.
Q. Was he convicted?
A. He was convicted.
Q. Where is he now?
A. I guess it would be San Quentin. He was also wanted for
two robberies, grand theft, auto and merchandise.
Q. Was he a Pachuco ?
A. That's right.
Q. Dressed in a zoot-suit ?
A. That 's right.
Q. How old was he ?
A. 19 years old.
Q. Were you involved in any other difficulty with Pachucos?
A. Yes, in the case where a police officer was killed. It started
over a Pachuco, a drunken Pachuco.
Q. Will you relate the circumstances — when did that occur ?
A. That happened on the 31st of December.
Q. Of last year?
A. That's right, of '42.
Q. What time of the day?
A. Approximately 11.30 — that was New Year's Eve.
Q. Where did it occur?
A. 1763 North Main Street.
UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA 171
Q. What happened?
A. At that time my partner and I were patroling, and we noticed
a crowd out in front of a cafe.
Q. What was your partner 's name ?
A. Tom Buckley.
Q. The same person ?
A. The same person. We noticed a woman and three men argu-
ing. We thought it was just a Mexican brawl, drunks, so we
hollered at them to ' ' bust it up and go home. ' ' We traveled about
a quarter of a block and heard five shots. We immediately turned
around, and we saw two fellows running from the scene. Well, we
stopped the car and apprehended them, and when we went back
to the scene we found the officer lying in front of the cafe, he had
been shot.
Q. The officer had been shot?
A. That's right. After investigation, one defendant, Mr. Bras-
deaz, a homicide, in the city hall admitted shooting the police officer.
Q. He confessed?
A. That 's right. He was convicted and received a manslaughter
verdict.
Q. What was the officer's name?
A. Diro.
Q. Were these persons with whom you had controversies at that
time and place Pachucos ?
A. Two of them were, yes.
Q. Dressed in zoot-suits ?
A. Yes.
Officer Meredith John Lajonan told the committee that he and his
partner, Officer Trout, had received a radio call in Venice during the
period of the "zoot-suit" disturbances. Arriving in the vicinity of the
pier in Venice the officers were approached by a Mexican who asked
whether or not they were policemen. Upon replying in the affirmative the
Mexicans told the officers that there was a fight in progress on the end of
the pier. It was after nightfall and at this time the entire coast area was
blacked out. Stepping to the end of the pier the officers were suddenly
assaulted by five or six young Mexicans, all, except one, of whom were
wearing "zoot-suits". The exception was wearing a soldier's uniform.
One was armed with a pair of brass knuckles while two others wielded
black-jacks. Officer Layman suffered an injury over the left eye which
required two stitches and his teeth were driven through his lips. His
testimony, in part, follows (Com. Tr., Vol. XIX, pp, 4500-4502) :
Chairman Tenney : Q. Did they use any weapons?
A. Two blackjacks and a pair of knuckles.
Q. A pair of knuckles ?
A. Yes, I was knocked down to my knees twice — I got back up.
Q. You say they were in zoot-suits?
A. Yes, the tight-legged trousers and the coat dicln 't quite reach
to the knees.
Q. They had the full Pachuco pants on?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. Did you effect their arrest?
172 UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
A. No, sir.
Q. What happened ?
A. As I understood later from my partner, he had to draw his
pun, as they backed him up against the rail of the pier, and he said
they were going to push him over, so he drew his gun, and I was
using all the force I could to make an arrest.
Q. Were you knocked groggy ?
A. Things appeared clear at that time, but later when I thought
about it it wasn 't so clear.
Q. Where were you struck with the brass knuckles?
A. Right here (indicating).
Q. Where that scar is discernible?
A. Yes.
Q. Where else ?
A. Right here on my lip (indicating).
Q. Any place else?
A. The two that had the saps hit me across the spine repeatedly,
and I still suffer from that,
Q. By a sap, you mean a piece of loaded lead ?
A. Yes.
Q. And you were struck across the spine with that?
A. Yes.
Q. You still suffer from the effects of those blows ?
A. Yes, I do.
Q. Is there any other occasion you sustained any injury in a sim-
ilar incident?
A. About two weeks before while in uniform at Navy and Ocean,
which is a short boulevard, a short block, I was struck in the jaw,
but I did not need any medical attention— there was a riot there.
Q. Were you struck on the jaw with a weapon ?
A. Only a fist.
Q. And that involved people of Mexican descent, young people
who were dressed in the typical Pachuco costume?
A. Yes, sir. I believe there were 13 arrests that night.
Q. What were the arrests made for — rioting?
A. Yes, sir; unlawful assembly, I believe.
COMMUNIST AGITATION
The Communist press, Communist spokesmen, loud-mouthed Commu-
nist sympathizers and fellow-travelers charged the Sinarquistas with the
responsibility for the riots, alleging that the Sinarquistas were controlled
and directed by "subversive Fascist Fifth-Columnists." The committee
invited a number of the most vehement of these accusers to present facts
and data substantiating their charges. By concerted action all of those
invited to appear before the committee declined to accept the invitation.
The committee thereupon issued subpenas for each of them. The tran-
script of testimony, as digested in the 1943 Report of the Committee,
clearly indicates that the individuals questioned had no proof of their
charges and that the campaign had been one of racial antagonism and
agitation,
UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA 173
The Communist Party press, pursuing the party line on racial agita-
tion, continually fed the fires of racial antagonism by charging that Mexi-
can youth in the United States was being subjected to police brutality,
race-discrimination, segregation and humiliation. Communist inspired
and dominated organizations were created for the alleged defense of the
Mexican minority. Meetings were organized in Mexican districts in Los
Angeles where trained rabble-rousers orated of police brutality against
minority groups, of the unfair treatment of the Mexican and Negro pop-
ulation and of racial discrimination and segregation.
In the October 3, 1942, issue of the Communist Party west coast pub-
lication, "People's Daily World," it was charged that the Sinarquistas
were sewing " ... their seeds ... in fertile soil among the
young girls and boys brought up on the east side of Los Angeles. ' ' The
issue of October 5, 1942, blamed the "zoot-suit" phenomenon on the
economic system. The October 8, 1942, issue of the " People's Daily
World" charged that the Mexican youth were being subjected to Fascist
pressure. The issue of October 14, 1942, stated that a "Fascist Fifth-
Column" was working unseen among the Mexican youth of Southern
California.
The " People's Daily World" for October 20, 1942, carried an article
by Communist La Rue McCormick in which she declared that Nazi agents
were operating in the Mexican communities of the City of Los Angeles,
corrupting Mexican youth and inciting racial antagonism.
Two days later the "People's Daily World" announced that the Los
Angeles C. I. 0. Council and the Spanish-Speaking People's Congress
were demanding that an investigation be made of the Sinarquista move-
ment.
On October 24, 1942, the "People's Daily World" reported that Com-
munist La Rue McCormick, on her own initiative, had organized a com-
mittee of 14 to defend the Mexican youth of Southern California, and
to expose the fifth-column elements that were using the Mexican youth
as dupes. Mrs. McCormick, representing the Spanish-Speaking People's
Congress, was announced as the Secretary of the new organization.
On October 26, 1942, an article in the "People's Daily World" reported
Philip M. Connelly of the C. I. 0. as charging the metropolitan news-
papers of Los Angeles of fomenting racial antagonism and agitation.
Mr. Connelly was quoted as stating that "Crime waves are turned on
and off by newspapers like water in a spigot, and when the city editor is
short of news, he orders police reporters to round up attack cases and if
the sheriff's office is not deliberately participating in the fraud it is being
duped."
It should be obvious from the foregoing that the Communist Party had
launched an intensive campaign through the medium of its press.
Similar articles appeared in the "People's Daily World" on October 28,
1942, November 2, 1942, November 17, 1942, November 19, 1942, Novem-
ber 30, 1942, December 4, 1942, and December 10, 1942. In addition to
this intensive press campaign, a flood of handbills, pamphlets and mime-
ographed material, both in English and in Spanish, inundated the City
and County of Los Angeles.
Students of Communist Party technique were aware immediately of the
objectives of the Communist Party editorial barrage. In accentuation,
stimulation and furtherance of the "class struggle," the Mexicans of
174 UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
Southern California were to be impressed with their "minority status."
They were to be indoctrinated with hatred for the police, for bourgeois
law and order, and punishment for crime was to be "smeared" as racial
discrimination, intimidation and police brutality. All bourgeois insti-
tutions in Southern California were to be held up as institutions of oppres-
sion, hostile to dark-skinned minorities, intent upon their impoverish-
ment and destruction. Having created the conflagration, the Communist
Party would then appear upon the scene as the rescuing firemen ; the only
stalwart and courageous champions of the oppressed and persecuted.
SLEEPY LAGOON MURDER CASE
The so-called "Sleepy Lagoon Murder Case" occurred in Los Angeles
County on August 1, 1942. It was destined to be another cause celeore
for the Communist Party.
Sleepy Lagoon, a reservoir on the Williams' Ranch, is situated
about a mile and a quarter north-east of Atlantic Boulevard in the City of
Los Angeles. It is a somewhat secluded spot, reached only by a dirt
road, and is surrounded by shrubbery, trees and undergrowth.
It appears that a group of ' ' zoot-suiters ' ' were assaulted by a rival gang
and, having gotten something the worst of the encounter, drove to the
vicinity of Vernon and Long Beach Avenues for reinforcements. Here
they gathered a number of friends, young men and women, and headed
for the Sleepy Lagoon area where they expected to find the gang that had
attacked them. They arrived about two o 'clock in the morning.
A party had been in progress for some time in the home of a humble
Mexican family situated about a half mile east of the Sleepy Lagoon res-
ervoir. The host and the hostess were an old couple, about 70 and 60
years old, respectively. A small orchestra supplied music for dancing
on a cement platform in the back yard. While some of the guests were
dancing others stood at the edge of the platform watching the festivities.
Arriving at the reservoir the reinforced group of Mexican boys found
the area deserted. They heard the music and saw the lights in the Mex-
ican residence and, still seeking their former assailants, drove their cars
to parking distance of the scene of festivities. In the fight that ensued
two people were knocked unconscious, many were injured, one seriously
stabbed and another died before he could be removed to a hospital.
Arrests followed immediately. Three of the boys were found guilty of
first degree murder, nine were found guilty of second degree murder and
five were found guilty of criminal assault.
The Communist Party had a new cause celeore. New front organiza-
tions were immediately created and fund-collecting committees for the
defense of the Sleepy Lagoon defendants mushroomed in English and
Spanish. Delegations called on Los Angeles County's sheriff and the
district attorney, protesting mass arrests and discrimination against the
Mexican population of Southern California. An intensified barrage of
propaganda appeared in the columns of the "People's Daily World." A
new flood of leaflets, pamphlets and mimeographed material was loosed
on the unsuspecting citizenry of Southern California proclaiming the
' ' Fascist ' ' proclivities of the bourgeois press and city and county officials.
Clyde Shoemaker was a member of the district attorney's office in Los
Angeles County when the Sleepy Lagoon Murder Case was brought to
UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA 175
trial. Mr. Shoemaker testified June 23, 1943, and his testimony, in part,
follows (Com. Tr., Vol. XIX, pp. 4536-4555) :
By Mr. Combs : Q. Yes. Now, did you ever hear of the organiza-
tion known as the Citizens Committee for the Defense of Mexican-
American Youth ?
A. Yes, I heard of it during the prosecution of those 22 defen-
dants. That trial began on the 13th of October, 1942, and the ver-
dicts came in — 66 verdicts came in about the 12th of January, 1943.
Q. Did you ever hear of the Citizens Committee for the Defense
of Mexican- American Youth prior to the Sleepy Lagoon case?
A. No.
Q. It is your opinion the committee was created as a result of that
case?
A. I believe that's obvious.
Q. Yes. Have you formed any opinion as to whether or not the
committee is Communist in character?
A. "Well, in my opinion it is definitely so.
Q. And what are your reasons for that opinion?
A. I recall at the outset of the trial a number of defendants were
represented by Mr. Dick Bird, one of the public defenders. The
other lawyers were Ben Van Tress, Phillip Schultz and a George
Jeveg, David Ravin — I don't recall any other lawyers now in the
Q. George Shibley?
A. Oh, no, not at the outset. We took a week to select the jury.
On the voir dire examination there was not one objection made by
defense counsel to any question asked, either by Mr. Barnes or
myself, not one. We were very careful to caution the jury that the
case involved no racial angle, that the criminal laws were meant for
the protection of society against all persons, regardless of race,
creed or color. The fact that these boys might be of Mexican ances-
try, or any other ancestry, had nothing to do with it, and the race
issue was not interjected in the case — we were very careful about it.
But after the jury had been selected and after the trial had been
under way about a week following that Mr. George Shibley came
into the case for the first time and took over the defense of a number
who had been represented by the public defender, and he supplanted
the public defender eventually altogether. He also took over some
of the defendants represented by David Ravin, and pretty soon he
had all his clients, and Mr. Ravin and Mr. Dick Bird left the case.
George Shibley then represented nine defendants, and from the very
day he came into the case, within a half hour after, it was obvious
he was interjecting the same Communistic hue and cry that Leo
Gallagher had interjected where the C. I. 0. longshoremen had been
involved, and he was accusing — for instance, he accused me of mis-
conduct before noon of the day he entered, and hardly a day went
by that George Shibley didn't accuse everybody, even Judge Fricke,
of misconduct, and the prosecutors, and not one of his charges were
ever sustained by the court.
Q. The Committee for the Defense of the Mexican-American
Youth also accused Judge Fricke of misconduct ?
176 UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
A. Oh, yes ; and they were instrumental, I understand, in employ-
ing Shibley. He is generally reputed to have had some part at
one time in the People's World as an associate editor for a time.
Chairman Tenney: He is very active in the National Lawyers
Guild?
A. I am not certain about that, Mr. Tenney. And the case then
became, you might say, from the time that Shibley entered it, a
public forum for the venting of hate toward the sheriff's deputies,
towards attempting to create a racial problem, racial discrimination,
and the balance of that trial was made up of efforts, particularly on
the part of Shibley, to make that trial a sounding board for the
usual hue and cry of the typical socialistic revolutionaries that they
appeared to be.
Q. Mr. Combs: I hand you a letter entitled, "Citizens Com-
mittee for the Defense of Mexican- American Youth," and ask you
if that type of letter was circulated during the prosecuting and after
the termination of the trial? (Handing to witness.)
A. Mr. Combs, I haven't seen this before. I notice its date is
February 16, 1943
Q. (Interrupting) Yes.
A. (Continuing) — but during the trial and while the case was
being argued in January, a pamphlet was circulated according to
our office during the actual time the case was being argued. I have
a copy of that here, which I hand you. (Handing to Mr. Combs.)
Q. This is entitled, "The Talk of the Town. Did 22 Mexican-
American boys commit murder? Are 350,000 Mexican-Americans
criminals? Can Fifth Column knife cut Los Angeles in half?"
And bears the following: "Citizens' Committee for the Defense
of American-Mexican Youth, 206 South Spring Street, Room 342."
Do you have any more copies of this? (indicating)
A. That's the only copy I have.
Q. I think we have a copy of it. I hand you a photostat
Chairman Tenney (Interrupting) : You have said that this com-
mittee employed Shibley. On what do you base that statement ?
A. Upon a speech that La Rue McCormick gave at the Communist
Victory Center along in the latter part of January, just a few days
before Mr. Dockweiler died.
Q. I think we have a copy of that speech.
A. I think I furnished Mr. Combs with a copy of it, and I have a
copy here (indicating). We covered that with a shorthand
reporter, and here is her transcript of it, on January 29th, 1943, at
the Communist Victory Center, 1828 Sunset Boulevard, and in this
speech her philosophy about their case is set forth, and in it she
indicates they were dissatisfied with the cousel who took the cases,
and they were instrumental in selecting counsel to take over the
defense during the trial, and upon the basis of that I have assumed
from what I have observed that Mr. Shibley was their representa-
tive. January 29, 1943, is about two weeks after the verdict was
returned. Now, in this may I say that this speech of La Rue
McCormick is 99 per cent viciously false. About the only thing
that was true was the fact there was a trial and that there were
certain defendants by number and that they were- convicted, but
UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA 177
practically everything else in that sheet is viciously false and inflam-
matory. When I say "sheet" I mean those sheets, the transcript
of that speech (indicating).
Mr. Combs : I would like to offer that transcript, together with
the accompanying certification, in evidence as Exhibit 1 in connec-
tion with the testimony of Mr. Shoemaker.
Chairman Tennev : So ordered. (Marked Shoemaker Exhibit
No. 1.)
The Witness : May I say that reflects better than anything else
the type of contentions made in the trial by Mr. Shibley. I might
say, he could have written it from the tone of it, and it is the best
indication I know of of the kind of contentions they made to the
public and to deceive the public about that trial of anything I know.
Mr. Combs: For the purpose of identifying this document, the
first sheet is an office memorandum to Joseph E. P. Dunn, Chief,
Bureau of Investigation, in re : Mrs. La Rue McCormick, from Her-
bert Grossman ; date, February 4, 1943. Signed by Herbert Gross-
man, Investigator.
The Witness : That 's a true copy of the original.
. Mr. Combs: There are 10 pages of transcript of Mrs. McCor-
mick's speech, taken at Victory Center, 1828 Sunset Boulevard, Los
Angeles, California, 8 :45 P. M., January 29, 1943. Present : Her-
bert Grossman ; reported by Aurora L. Springer.
Q. Now, Mr. Shoemaker, I hand you a photostat and ask you
whether or not you have ever seen the original of which this pur-
ports to be a copy?
A. The original I believe had — let's answer your question yes.
The original, I believe, had a mimeographed yellow sheet attached
to it by an iron stamp.
Q. That's correct.
A. That was picked up, as I recall, on the floor of the courtroom
during the trial of the case against the 22 defendants. It is a sample
of the kind of petitions that were circulated around the courtroom
and in the corridors to collect money from the Mexicans who fre-
quented the trial; which monejr was turned over to Mr. Shibley.
Mr. Combs: That has been identified as Quevedo Exhibit No. 1.
The Witness : In that connection, I want to make the record very
clear that I do not connect Mr. Van Tress or Mr. Philip Schultz, or
any of the other lawyers, with the tactics of Shibley ; I want that
very clear in this record, that I am saying nothing at all to reflect
upon them in that respect.
Chairman Tenney : Q. Was there any other lawyer for the defense
that was of the same caliber and character as Shibley?
A. No, Shibley went alone. He failed to agree with co-counsel,
and stood on his own feet and used his own tactics.
Mr. Combs : Q. I hand you a photostat, and ask you if it is a photo-
stat of the yellow sheet you have just described, and I ask you if you
have ever seen the original of which this purports to be a copy?
(handing to witness)
A. That looks like it.
Mr. Combs: This is entitled "Unamonos para la victoria El
Fascismo." It has already been translated, but hasn't been intro-
12 — L-4113
178 UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
duced, and I now offer it as Exhibit No. 2 in connection with Mr.
Shoemaker's testimony.
Chairman Tenney : So ordered. (Marked Shoemaker Exhibit
No. 2).
Mr. Combs : Q. Now, Mr. Shoemaker, did you ever hear of a per-
son called Reverend Ernest Caldecott ?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. Is he the minister of the First Unitarian Church?
A. That 's correct. In the block on Eighth east of Vermont.
Q. Do you know whether or not this committee for the Defense
of Mexican- American Youth endeavored to use his church for a
meeting to raise funds in connection with the Sleepy Lagoon case ?
A. Yes, I can tell you about that. I have here a pamphlet which
was circulated after the defendants had been sentenced by Judge
Fricke to prison, as I remember. Incidentally, 12 of the 22 defend-
ants were convicted of murder and all sent to San Quentin/and five
were convicted of assault and received the maximum jail sentences
for that, five were acquitted of the 22, four of whom we suggested to
the jury might be acquitted.
Now, after the trial was over and the judgment and sentences
had been pronounced, one day my attention was called to this
pamphlet which I hold in my hand (illustrating) by our deputy
in charge of the Grand Jury. Mr. Ernest Oliver had heard such a
pamphlet was being circulated and a meeting was to be held at the
First Unitarian Church for the purpose of raising funds for this
committee. I made a note of it, and in almost the same day or the
next, Judge Fricke called me to his chambers and handed me this
(indicating). It is entitled, "We have just begun to fight," which
is another vicious piece of inflammatory literature —
Mr. Combs (Interrupting) : I have a copy.
A. (Continuing) — it is 99 per cent false, just as her speech was.
Mr. Combs : I would like to read a very short excerpt from that
pamphlet (reading) :
"It is mandatory upon the citizenry of Los Angeles to prevent a
few newspapers, a few score of police sadists, a pair of ambitious
prosecutors and the Fifth Column to cancel out the fine harmony
between peoples and nations so diligently being woven in the course
of a democratic war.
' ' The Citizens ' Committee for the Defense of American-Mexican
Youth, composed of leading members of the community, has long
been dedicated to this harmony, and to the elimination of these crip-
pling injustices.
' ' First on this program is the continued defense of the 17 Mexican-
American boys just condemned, a marshalling of every reasonable
assistance to prepare for an appeal along the lines maintained by
our own Attorney George E. Shibley.
"More recently, also the situation has worsened through the
rabid activities of Fifth Columnists anxious to impede the war
drive by splitting off a highly productive section of the population
from the main body of unity.
"Small wonder, then, that these 12 men and women
approached impanelment with a fixed notion that 'Mexican' was
UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA 179
synonymous with criminality. And that they were very susceptible
to evidence 'proving' one more instance of it." I would like to
introduce this as the exhibit next in order for this witness.
Chairman Tenney : Exhibit No. 3. (Marked Shoemaker Exhibit
No. 3).
Mr. Combs : I would also like to introduce the pamphlet entitled
"The Talk of the Town" as this witness' next exhibit.
Chairman Tenney : No. 4, Shoemaker Exhibit No. 4.
The Witness : May I continue on with the matter concerning Dr.
Caldecott?
Mr. Combs: Yes.
A. After Judge Fricke had called me into his chambers and
shown me this pamphlet and delivered it to me I telephoned Dr.
Caldecott, the Unitarian minister, whom I knew to be a fine gentle-
man, a conscientious public-spirited citizen, and asked him if such
a meeting had been scheduled at his church, if he knew anything
about it, and I believe he replied that the matter was not in his
charge, but that he would find out; and he found out that it was
scheduled a few days hence, and I said, "I wonder if you know
what the meeting is about," and he frankly didn't know, and I
asked if he would be interested in knowing, and he said that he
would, and so he came to my office very promptly. I had on my
desk the grand jury transcript of that case and the entire 6,500
pages of the trial record, and I told him when he came in there was
the record, he could look at it then, or he could take a week to look
at it if he wanted, but that this meeting that was about to be held
at his church was for the purpose of printing the propaganda such
as was in the pamphlet entitled "We have just begun to fight, ' ' and
I said to him in substance, ' ' We feel you ought to know what the
nature of the meeting was, so you can decide whether or not you
want to be a party to it in any way, shape or manner, because that
is an attack upon the judge, upon the prosecutors, upon the jury
and upon the fairness of the trial in a case which is now pending
before the courts. ' ' And he was very courteous, he said he would
like to investigate with his official board, and the next day he called
me and said he wanted an appointment, and he came down and he
brought with him the president of his board, a lawyer who is a
member of the staff, employed I believe by the City of Los Angeles
in the Bureau of Power and Light — Water and power, and with
them came two members of this Citizens Committee for the Defense
of American-Mexcian Youth. They didn't come exactly at the
same time, the two members of this committee followed in a few
minutes.
Q. Who were they ?
A. Clore Worne and a young lawyer by the name of Robert
Morris, whom I had never met, but who was introduced as one of
the State barristers of Los Angeles.
Q. Wasn't he
A. (Interrupting) He stated he had formerly been in the office
of Robert Kenny, the Attorney General.
Q. Wasn't he also a representative of the National Lawyers
Guild?
180 UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
A. I don't know about that.
Q. What was his name ?
A. Robert Morris. Shall I proceed ?
Q. Yes, go right ahead.
A. They — when I say they I mean Mr. Caldecott and his repre-
sentatives stated that they had arranged this meeting for the pur-
pose of discussing the natureof the meeting to be held in the church,
and I had asked John Barnes to come in, and he sat with us, so six
of us were present at the conference. The nature of the discussion
was merely this, that we in a few words told Mr. Caldecott in the
presence of these two lawyers, Mr. Worne and Mr. Morris, that we
felt that sheet which I have referred to was viciously false, without
foundation, was inflammatory, and that it was harmful to the case
that was pending, and that such a thing as that ought not to be
circulated. Our only interest in this meeting was whether or not
the minister knew the nature of it, we had no control over the meet-
ings in his church, we didn't invite the conference, they invited
themselves on their own accord. These two committee members,
they launched into an attack then upon the trial. Mr. Worne led
the attack, and we asked them if they were responsible for the
preparation of, not only this pamphlet, but of the one which is
already in evidence and marked and described as ' ' The talk of the
town. " They admitted they were, they and a group of other people
were responsible for the preparation of those pamphlets. They vir-
tually said in response to our challenging questions it didn't make
any difference whether those things were true or not, they were
opposed to the prosecution of 22 individuals for the murder of one
on general principles, and they virtually justified anything in those
pamphlets on the ground their belief and philosophy would not
permit them to approve the prosecution against those 22 defendants
for the murder of Jose Diaz.
Q. Who is Jose Diaz, was he a Mexican?
A. Jose Diaz was born in the United States, and practically every
one of the defendants were American citizens, born right here in
Los Angeles, and everyone had the benefit of an education up to
the 10th or 11th grade. So the result of it was that after some
bitter discussion on the part of Mr. Worne and Mr. Morris, and it
was quite bitter, we asked very few questions and took very little
part in the discussion, Mr. Barnes and myself, the meeting
adjourned ; and the next day Mr. Caldecott informed me over the
telephone he had concluded to have nothing to do with it, and the
meeting was cancelled, and he put it on this ground : Their church
was an open forum on civil rights and remedies at any and all times,
but never did they intend their premises should be used for an
attack upon the courts or an institution of Justice for the purpose
of raising funds in carrying on some proceedings — something to
that effect.
And I want you to call Mr. Caldecott right here, right now and
ask him, and he will tell you he cancelled that meeting, not from
any threats from our office, which were not made; he became con-
vinced the meeting was subversive in character and something he
wanted to have nothing to do with.
UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA 181
Mr. Combs: Q. Now, Mr. Shoemaker, summing up the impres-
sions which you gained as a result of the events leading up to the
Sleep}' Lagoon case and which occurred during the trial of the case
and which occurred immediately thereafter, tell the committee what
your opinion is concerning the influence exerted by Communist
organizations such as this Committee for the Defense of Mexican-
American Youth.
A. Well, from my familiarity with the nature of the assaults that
had been made prior to the Sleepy Lagoon case, and I had been
consulted both by the sheriff and the police in regard to a number
of cases occurring earlier in 1942, and then my familiarity with the
facts and circumstances surrounding the so-called Sleepy Lagoon
case, I 'in satisfied — in fact, I think there is no doubt about it — that
there is no Axis influence in the case whatsoever, or any of the cases,
never the slightest evidence of any efforts by any of the Axis powers
or any of the agents of the Axis powers to incite any of these people
to commit any of these depredations — we never found any evidence
at all in that direction. On the other hand, we found that probably
the group, the hoodlums that made up these gangs, an aggregate
of some 300 out of the total Mexican colony of nearly 300,000, we
found the better elements in the Mexican community, the respectable
people, all the law-abiding Mexican citizens, heartily approved our
prosecution.
If you want to go back and look at the leading Mexican news-
paper— I think it is called La Opinion — I don't think you will find
any criticism in that newspaper of that prosecution or of the police
or the sheriff in regard to that case, or any similar case. You'll find
that the better elements in the community, both Mexican, colored
and white, all believe in law enforcement with respect to those mat-
ters, and upheld the law enforcement agencies. But this group of
radicals, whatever you call them— now, when you call them Com-
munists, I want to refer to them as our own breed of Communists,
I don't blame Russia — and I don't want to confuse our Communists
Avith those people, that is, they are only a breed, whether you call
them Socialists or Socialist radicals or Socialist revolutionaries, they
speak a language which in the courtroom always sounds the same.
They attack the police officers, they attack the law enforcement,
they put the policemen on trial, the law enforcement agencies — they
put everybody on trial except the defendant, and their methods
with respect to glorifying these defendants, their methods of attack-
ing the police, of attacking the district attorney, ridiculing the court
in open court, ridiculing the processes of the court in open court in
the presence of these defendants, with the courtroom full of their
friends.
Q. That occurred in this case ?
A. Oh, yes, every day.
Q. And in the case which preceded it, the "Webster case ?
A. Yes. And I say in my opinion the activities of these trouble
makers do more harm to law enforcement, do more harm to the
matter of peace and security of the community than any other
single influence, and I personally feel that this group of radicals
who make, who support this sorl of ;i movement and who back up
182 UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
these people and raise money, the same way as they did in the Sacco-
Vanzetti ease, are responsible for stirring up hatred and animosity
in the community, are responsible for inciting and fomenting the
very thing that happened in the recent outbreaks when the sailors
and soldiers finally in desperation took over and we had our recent
trouble. In that connection may I say that I believe that in spite of
the valiant effort of the police department and the sheriff so many
outbreaks had occurred against the men in the armed forces, and
they were so disgusted with the tactics of these hoodlums who fre-
quented the streets at night that they finally in desperation because
of the extreme situation presented, virtually took the law into their
own hands.
I heard a service man stand up in a meeting before a group of
veterans some weeks before this outbreak occurred, and he was a
man who if I mention his name you would know him, but I won't
mention his name — he stood up in the open meeting, and he hap-
pened to— I was assistant district attorney at the time — he said
he wanted to ask the assistant district attorney why men in the
armed forces like myself when we get a week-end off in order to
see our family and friends have to take an armed body guard with
us in order to keep from being attacked by zoot-suiters, as he called
them. That was the situation even before the outbreaks occurred.
Incidentally, I left — I left on the 31st, and the outbreak occurred
on the 1st day of June. Now, maybe that wasn 't what caused them,
it may have been a mere coincidence, but the situation really was
there, there had been so much building up of the hoodlums by the
people of the type of the Citizens Defense Committee, and this false
circulation of inflammatory and defamatory material that it was
the logical thing to expect they would break out. It was pretty
well under control when we finished with that trial. Captain Reed
of the police department and the men in the sheriff's department
had done wonderful work in covering those assaults and in getting
the thing under control until this sort of thing made it bad again.
NEW COMMUNIST "FRONT"
Organizations with new names and familiar personnel came into being
overnight.
The "Citizens Committee for the Defense of Mexican- American
Youth" soon became the most prominent of the new agit-prop (agitation-
propaganda) committees. Offices were opened and maintained in the
Wilcox Building at Second and Broadway in the City of Los Angeles,
where the influence and domination of Mrs. La Rue McCormick, a reg-
istered and admitted member of the Communist Party, guided the work
and propaganda. Philip Connelly, then State President of the C. I. 0. ;
Al "Waxman, publisher of the "Eastside Journal"; Leo Gallagher,
National Lawyers' Guild; Bert Corona, Warehousemen's Union; Jerome
Posner, Amalgamated Clothing Workers' Union; Jessie Armenza, Latin-
dry Workers' Union; Gregg Bemis, International Workers' Order; John
Bright, Council of Pan-American Democracy ; Josephine Fierro, Spanish
People's Congress; Herbert Ganahl, National Lawyers' Guild; Dorothy
Comingore, Screen Artists' Guild; Minnabell Cline, Screen Office
Employees' Guild; Oscar Fuss, C. I. 0. Legislative Director; Rose Har-
UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA 183
mon ; Mrs. Will Rogers, Jr. ; Guy Nunn, Minorities Group Division of
the War Production Board; Carey Mc Williams, State Director of the
Department of Immigration and Housing ; Roger Cardona, President of
the Victory Yoicth Club; Stewart Neil, and Charlotta Bass, publisher of
the "California Eagle", were some of the sponsors of this new Commu-
nist front organization.
The following extract from a mimeographed circular distributed in
the Los Angeles area by the Citizens' Committee for the Defense of
Mexican- American Youth is typical :
"The Sleepy Lagoon Murder trial, which resulted in the convic-
tion of 17 Mexican-American boys, three for first-degree murder,
nine for second-degree, and five for assault, can only be understood
if it is viewed against the background of persecution and discrimi-
nation which has been practiced against our Mexican-American
population, a part of which has been a press campaign of vilification
and slander. In this light it becomes understandable that 12 boys
were convicted of the murder of a man without proof that any one
of them ever touched him or attempted in any way to do him any
harm.
"During June and July of 1942, the Los Angeles Press began to
build a 'crime wave' among Mexican-American youth which was
unsubstantiated by any official records. Stories of arrests were
played up on the front pages ; no mention was made of subsequent
releases for lack of any charge. The 'zoot-suits' worn by great
numbers of Mexican and Negro youth, was invested with a sinister
connotation. ..."
Captain George Contreras of the Sheriff 's office of Los Angeles County,
in charge of the Sheriff's Anti-Subversive Detail, testified, in part, as
follows (Com. Tr., Vol. XLX, pp. 4559-4560) :
By Mr. Combs : Q. Are you familiar with a building across the
street from the one in which you are located known as the Wilcox
Building?
A. Yes, sir.
* * * • •
Mr. Combs : Q. Have you ever had occasion to have the tenants
of that building checked?
A. From time to time, yes.
Q. Do you have a list of the tenants of the building?
A. Yes. Do vou mind if I put my glasses on, I can't see.
Q. Not at all.
A. I have, sir.
Q. Would you mind reading it into the record?
A. (Reading) : "Offices in the Wilcox Building, Second and
Spring, Room 208, John E. Jeffrey, California Regional Represent-
ative, (Was State President of the State, County and Municipal
Workers of America).
"208. John St. Cyr, State, County and Municipal Workers of
America.
"242. Spanish Speaking People's Congress — Josephine Bright,
Secretary.
"325. The American Association of Social Workers.
184 UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
"401. Joint Anti-Fascist Refugee Committee.
"425. Rose Segure, Regional Representative.
"440. United Office & Professional Workers of America, Local
No. 9.
"525. People's Daily World."
That is about all, Mr. Combs, in that building.
Captain Contreras testified that his office had made a thorough inves-
tigation of the Citizens' Committee for the Defense of Mexican- American
Youth and that the group was, in his opinion, a Communist front organ-
ization.
There is, of course, no doubt whatever of Mrs. La Rue McCormick's
Communist affiliations. She has been a registered Communist for many
years and has been an active functionary in party affairs for a long time.
She was the spearhead in the Mexican agitational campaign and created
the Committee for the Defense of Mexican- American Youth. Her testi-
mony, in this connection, follows (Com. Tr., Vol. XVIII, p. 4313) :
By Mr. Combs : Q. Of course, you were sponsor, were you not,
of the Committee for the Defense of Mexican- American Youth ?
A. Yes.
Q. Who actually organized that in its inception, any one individ-
ual, or was it a spontaneous proposition?
A. Well, I sent out the invitation to a number of people to come
together to discuss the problems, and as a result of the meeting of
these people the committee was formed.
Q. From whom did j^ou get the idea ?
A. I can't say I got the idea from anyone. I thought it was
something that ought to be done.
Q. It originated with yourself?
A. Yes, I think so.
COMMUNIST "FRONT" SPONSORS
The first witness examined by the committee in this particular inves-
tigation was Philip M. Connelly, State President of the C. I. 0. He
admitted being connected with the Committee for the Defense of Mexi-
can-American Youth and affiliated, in one way or another, with organiza-
tions known to the members of the committee as Communist dominated
or controlled. These organizations were : the Committee for American
Unity, the Harry Bridges Defense Committee, the California Conference
for Democratic Action, the American Peace Mobilization, the National
Negro Congress and the Joint Anti-Fascist Refugee Committee,
Connelly testified (pp. 4131-4162, Vol. XVII) that he was acquainted
with Carl Winter, Los Angeles County Secretary of the Communist
Party, and that he had met him shortly after Winter had arrived in Los
Angeles. He believed that his last meeting with Winter, prior to testi-
fying, was in the Los Angeles office of the "People's Daily World,"
Communist Party publication. (See the 1943 Committee Report, page
154 for Connelly's Communist Party affiliation.)
At the time Connelly testified before the committee on the subject of
the "zoot-suit" disturbances (June 21, 1943) the Los Angeles office of
the "People's Daily World" was located in the Wilcox Building at 2nd
and Spring Streets. Committee investigators found the offices of the
T'X-AMKKICAX ACTIVITIES IX CALIFORNIA 185
Committee for the Defense of Mexican- American Youth also housed in
the Wilcox Building.
Mrs. Charlotta Bass, publisher of the "California Eagle/' Los Angeles
east-side newspaper, was one of the sponsors of the Committee for the
Defense of Mexican-American Youth. The columns of the "California
Eagle," editorially and otherwise, echoed the seiltiments and hewed to the
"line" of the Communist Party organ, "The People's Daily World."
Mrs. Bass testified (pp. 4113-4131, Vol. XVII) that she had been
acquainted with Philip M. Connelly for two years; that she was
acquainted with Carey Mc Williams, Pettis Perry, President of the Com-
munist Party of Los Angeles County, Mrs. La Rue McCormick and Al
Waxman, publisher of the "Eastside Journal." Mrs. Bass stated that
she had known Pettis Perry for about 20 years. The metamorphosis of
the "California Eagle" from a respected American journal, championing
the cause of the American Negro, to a Communist propaganda sheet has
been going on for several years.
Al 8. Waxman stated (pp. 4071-4113, Vol. XVII) that he had resided
in Southern California for about 22 years and that he had been the owner
and editor of the "Eastside Journal" for approximately eight and
one-half years. He testified that the paper was in the category of a
"throw-away" and was being delivered free of charge to about 17,000
persons, about 30 per cent of whom were of Mexican descent. He admitted
addressing a group of Mexican boys on the corner of Brooklyn and Indi-
ana Streets prior to the ' ' zoot-suit ' ' riots. He admitted printing articles
in the columns of his paper declaring the Sinarquistas to be an Axis-dom-
inated group and, at the same time, he admitted he knew nothing con-
cerning the organization except what he had read in other publications.
He admitted that an article appeared in his newspaper June 16, 1943,
which stated in effect that the issue in the recent race-riots was a "Fifth-
Column" force seeking to disrupt the war effort of the United States.
When questioned closely on the facts of such a statement, he was unable
to offer the committee any proof to substantiate the statements made in
the article in question. He admitted that he was a subscriber to the "Peo-
ple's Daily World" and that he was aware that the Los Angeles offices of
the publication were located in the Wilcox Building at 2nd and Spring
Streets.
Like the "California Eagle," Waxman 's "Eastside Journal" has, for
some time, been echoing the sentiments and hewing to the Communist
Party "line" as exemplified in the columns of the Communist Party west
coast publication, "The People's Daily World." Waxman 's sympathy
with things Communistic is clearly established by his testimony. He
admitted attending two meetings, at least, where Pettis Perry spoke as
the chairman of the Communist Party of Los Angeles County. He
attended the meeting at the Philharmonic Auditorium in Los Angeles
January, 1943, and heard the speech of Earl Browder, General Secre-
tary of the Communist Party of the United States. He admitted being
acquainted with Carey Mc Williams, John and Josephine Bright. Mrs.
La Rue McCormick, Guy T. Nunn, Dorothy Cominpore and Oscar Fuss.
He stated that he had' been acquainted with Philip M. Connelly for
approximately 10 years. John and Josephine Bright maintained offices
in the Wilcox Building, Los Angeles, where the Committee for the
Defense of Mexican-American Youth, the "People's Daily World." and
186 UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
other Communist and Communist front organizations were housed.
John and Josephine Bright had been particularly active in a Commu-
nist front organization known as the Spanish-Speaking People's Con-
gress. Waxman admitted having supported Mrs. La Rue McCormick
for State Senate when she was the Communist Party's nominee for that
office in the 1942 election.
It was Waxman 's opinion that the metropolitan newspapers in the
City of Los Angeles were responsible for the so-called "zoot-suit" riots.
He contended that these metropolitan publications had carried headlines
charging that Mexican boys were attacking members of the United States
armed forces and that because of these headlines disturbances had ensued
which were further inflamed and agitated by a succession of sensational
headlines.
Waxman maintained that there had been cases of discrimination
against the Mexican people before the riots began, stating that Mexican
boys and young men were barred from a number of theaters when they
sought admission in groups of more than two or three. He stated that
Mexican young men were admitted to a limited number of dance halls
in the city and barred from the rest. He alleged that the Negro people
were being denied service in restaurants throughout the City of Los
Angeles. He stated that the Jewish people were particularly being dis-
criminated against and charged that there were no less than 50 cases of
such discrimination in the City of Wilmington.
WAXMAN'S TESTIMONY
The editorial and newspaper activities of Waxman and Charlotta Bass
have already been discussed. An inspection of their respective newspa-
pers over a period of several months immediately prior to the first out-
break of rioting indicates that the two publications were following the
"line" started by the Communist publication, "The People's Dailij
World." All three of these papers combined in an onslaught on the more
conservative metropolitan newspapers in Southern California in charg-
ing that they (the metropolitan press) were responsible for the "zoot-
suit" riots. It was, in fact, the "Eastside Journal," the "California
Eagle" and the "People's Daily World" that carried an intensive cam-
paign on the Pachuco or "zoot-suit" issue for months. Waxman testi-
fied (Com. Tr., Vol. XVII, pp. 4098-4101) as follows :
A. My opinions were expressed in my newspaper prob-
ably long before the People's World picked up the thing, because
we 're here ; it takes them several days to get the news and bring it
back to us. I say again the daily newspapers in my opinion caused
these riots by coming out first with the elaborate stories of Mexican
boys attacking seamen and members of the armed forces, and then
when the fights took place the stories were written and handled in
such a manner that the seamen were led to believe that they had
gained a victory; so the Mexican boys felt it was then time for
reprisals, and then the Daily News carried stories that the Mexican
boys were the victors, so the service men came back for reprisals, and
day after day that journalistic method of selling newspapers on
the streets was used, and then when the thing seemed to play itself
out and die and there was nothing else to fight about the Daily News
UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA 187
came out with the banner headline that the zoot-suit boys had
declared war on the defense workers. Now, I suppose according
to the conversation this afternoon I should have gone to the Federal
Government and asked them to check on the results of the headlines.
I took it up with the defense workers, and I found a number of
defense workers who had read the Daily News who said they were
going to quit the night shift and swing shift, and a number said
they would continue to work, but carry weapons in their cars for
protection.
By Senator Tenney: Q. This article (in the Eastside Journal) of
June 10th, "Race Incitement to Violence — An Eyewitness Account" —
do you think that would have any tendency to stir up riots among the
Mexicans ? ( indicating ) .
A. I don't think so.
Q. You don't think (reading) : "Four boys came out of a pool
hall. They were wearing the zoot suits that have become the symbol
of a fighting flag. Police ordered them into arrest cars. One
refused.
"He asked: 'Why am I being arrested?'
"The officer answered with three swift blows of the night stick
across the boy's head and he went down. As he sprawled he was
kicked in the face. Police had difficulty loading his body into the
vehicle because he is one-legged and wears a wooden limb."
You go on to say (continuing to read) :
' ' At the same corner, a Mexican mother cried out : ' Don 't take
my boy. He did nothing. He's only 15 years old. Don't take
him.'
"She was struck across the jaw with a night stick and nearly
dropped the 2^-year-old baby that was clinging in her arms."
Don't you think that that would excite anger on the part of the
Mexicans ?
A. They were doing nothing to stop riots in our city.
Q. I know, but don't you think that would incite anger on the
part of the Mexicans ?
A. Not if they read the whole article. You have taken only a
sentence out of it. If you take a sentence out of the Bible you will
have a riot, but if you read the whole Bible you wouldn 't.
Q. Isn't that true with the metropolitan press?
A. Unfortunately, no. Most of those articles in my opinion
were cloaked to an extent that they carried out what the headlines
portrayed.
Q. That reasoning only applies to your article, not the metro-
politan press ?
A. I think mine was better written than the metropolitan press."
The police records of the City of Los Angeles and the records of the
sheriff's office of Los Angeles County do not reveal the arrest of a
Pachuco or a member of any of the so-called "zoot-suit" gangs who was
the possessor of an artificial leg.
Waxman had charged that a Mexican youth had been clubbed by
a deputy sheriff at a time and place named by Waxman. It was alleged
188 UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
that the officer's badge number was "88." Asked by Mr. Combs
whether or not he had made an investigation of the charge, Captain
Contreras testified as follows (Com. Tr., Vol. XIX, pp. 4563-4565) :
A. Yes. Before I go into that, I would like to refresh my memory,
too, and declare our office as far as cases concerned where we inter-
viewed a zoot-suiter in the county jail and where he said he was
beaten up by one of our officers
Q. Mr. Combs (Interrupting) : You and I interviewed the defend-
ant, as I recall ?
A. Yes, and I told you I would make an investigation of the
situation.
Q. Yes. I think the person to whom we talked accused a member
of the sheriff's department, a deputv sheriff, of brutality?
A. Yes.
Q. And gave the number of the badge as number 88 ?
A. 88, that's right.
Q. Did you make such an investigation ?
A. I did.
Q. What did you find?
A. I proceeded out to Belvedere, known as the East Los Angeles
Sub-Station, Captain Brewster is in charge, and we found out who
the officer was, we found that the officer on the night of the arrest
wasn 't even out of the station, that he was on duty at the office at the
time when the prisoner was brought in, and, therefore, could not
have struck this individual at the automobile at the time of the
arrest.
Q. And the accusation, therefore, was obviously false?
A. Yes, sir.
Waxman testified further (Com. Tr., Vol. XVII, pp. 4075-4077.) :
Chairman Tenney : Q. In your edition of June 16th, in the
column "On The Left" you referred to this situation (reading) :
' ' However, the issue in the recent riots was not the service men. Nor
was it the zoot-suit boys; nor was it the Mexicans or the Negroes.
It was a sinister fifth-column force that was forging ahead in its
effort to disrupt the war effort of this country and to bring an end
to unity. ' ' Is that correct ?
A. That's correct.
Q. Will you elaborate and tell us on what you based it?
A. I have found from time to time on the east side some of our
Mexican boys were getting money, more money than they could
possibly be earning. Unfortunately, up to this moment I have not
been able to determine exactly from whom they get the money, nor
how much they get, but the general impression that I have been
given by the boys is : ' ' We get money and then whoever gives us
the money stops in once in a while and says, 'Why go to work, why
do this, why do that. We '11 keep you supplied with money. ' ' ' And
I have tried on several occasions to locate the source of the money.
Unfortunately, up to this moment I have been unable to do it.
If your committee is still functioning when I find out I will be very
happy to turn it over to you.
Chairman Tenney : Q. To the committee — or is this a committee
of which you are a member?
UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA 189
A. Oh, no. I refer to your Committee.
Q. Oh, I see. So it's your guess it is a fifth column?
A. Well, we like to say we believe until we can actually give you
names and addresses.
Q. What you have said up to this point : That groups of these
Mexican boys have unusual amounts of money?
A. That's right.
Q. And upon asking them the source of money they indicate it
has been given to them, and that on occasions the party who gives
the money states to them ' ' Why work ' ' ?
A. That's correct.
Q. And on those grounds you build up the presumption it might
be a "fifth column?"
A. That's right.
Q. It is, in your opinion, a logical conclusion?
A. I think it is, Mr. Tenney.
Q. Any other explanation could be presumed with equal logic.
For instance, the boys might steal, and upon being questioned as to
where they had gotten the money, might say it was given to them?
A. It happens during the nine years I have been on the east
side I have gained the confidence of some of the boys. As you will
note, when I called a meeting of the boys, they showed up.
Q. I would like this question answered. I would like to ask it
very carefully : Have you at any time complained of the Mexicans
to the police?
A. No.
Q. Are you quite certain of that?
A. Complained of the Mexicans to the police — you mean, the
entire race of Mexicans?
Q. Of Mexican boys?
A. No. No, never complained of Mexicans to the police. We
have carried articles and straight news in which we have listed the
names of the participants after we had secured them from the
police records.
Q. You didn't go to the police department about four years ago
and demand some action be taken against Mexican groups?
A. Never.
The foregoing testimony of Waxman became significant when Captain
J. P. Reed, of the Los Angeles police department, testified June 23, 1943.
The committee was particularly interested in learning whether or not
there was any truth in charges of police brutality made by Waxman 's
paper, "The Eastside Journal," Charlotta Bass' "California Eagle"
and the Communist publication, "The People's Daily World." Captain
Reed was the administrative assistant to the Chief of Police in the City of
Los Angeles. His testimony, in part, is as follows (Com. Tr., Vol. XIX,
pp. 4448-4450) :
Senator Tenney : Q. Captain, are you acquainted with a man by
the name of Al Waxman?
A. Yes, sir, very well.
Q. How long have you known him?
A. I would say approximately five years.
190 UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
Q. During the time you have known him has he ever seen fit to
call on you with reference to disturbances on the east side,
particularly among the Mexican population?
A. Yes, sir, many times.
Q. Will you give the committee the particulars of those times?
A. I have newspaper clippings — I was assigned to the Hollenbeck
as captain of that area, and Mr. Waxman was the editor of the
Eastside Journal in that area. He made numerous complaints in
reference to Mexican youths who were coming into the Jewish area
and molesting those people, and asking and demanding that we give
more police protection to that area.
Q. About when was that?
A. Back in 1934 or '35 or '36. Of just recent date I have talked
to Mr. Waxman along the same lines, approximately five months ago
I had a conversation over the telephone with him in reference to the
Pachuco situation, at which he asked me at that time to take some
definite action and more strenuous action than we were taking at
that time in the Hollenbeck area.
Q. Against the Pachucos or in their defense?
A. Against all persons committting those type of crimes, and he
particularly stressed those dressed in Pachuco suits in the ' ' Column
Left" he writes. Back when Chief James Davis was Chief of the
Police Department, he complained of certain situations and of some
rapers and purse snatchers, and so forth, who were operating in
that area.
Assemblyman Dickey : May I ask a question ?
Chairman Tenney: All right, Mr. Dickey.
Assemblyman Dickey : Q. Up until recently, all the complaints
made by Mr. Waxman to your department were complaints against
those boys of Latin-American extraction?
A. Not in all cases ; in some cases he made complaints about other
persons, but he has made complaints about Latin- American youths.
Q. Let me reframe that question and put it this way: His
original complaint in that particular section was against the boys
who were Latin-American, because they were infringing on the
Jewish population in that district?
A. That's correct.
Q. And he requested of your department that more protection
be given to the Jewish population in that particular area?
A. That 's right.
Q. And it wasn't until recently that he spoke at all in defense
of Latin-Americans?
A. Well, he has never spoken to me in defense of the Latin-
American group.
Q. He has never spoken to you up until this time in the defense
of the Latin-American group ?
A. That's true.
Los Angeles Police Officer Clyde L. Schultz, who, after testifying
concerning his participation in several of the Pachuco disturbances, had
occasion to touch on the report of Al Waxman published in "The East-
UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA 191
side Journal." Officer Schultz' testimony, in this connection, is as
follows (Com. Tr., Vol. XIX, pp. 4507-4511) :
A. * * * We were discussing the story that Al Waxman had
in his paper.
Q. What paper are you referring to ?
A. The Eastside Journal. He stated in that that he was going
to talk to a group of Mexican youths at Brooklyn and Indiana at
approximately 8.30, he had called a meeting to ask them to cut out
that kind of stuff, and in his paper he stated there were 250 attend-
ing this meeting. Well, the most that we saw there at any time
was 35, and he stated in his paper that there would be 250. While
this meeting was going on a load of Pachucos drove up in a car and
said there was a riot at 12th and Central and they were beating up
their friends and families, the policemen were. They immediately
got into the cars and went down to protect their families and homes.
That meeting was held at 8.30, and the riot took place at 10 o'clock.
He stated that four boys came out of a pool hall — excuse me while
I think a minute. I want to get this straight.
Q. Take your time.
A. He stated four boys came out of a pool hall, and they were
immediately grabbed by police officers, and that the reason, the
only reason that they were being arrested they were told was because
they were Pachucos, and that when this young fellow asked what
he was being arrested for he was immediately knocked over the head
and knocked unconscious into the gutter.
Q. He so testified?
A. I saw the whole thing. There is no pool room at that loca-
tion; if I am right, where the four fellows came out of, there is a
hamburger joint or a hot dog joint in there. Those four fellows
were standing in the doorway, and they were ordered to disperse,
I believe the officer's name is Green; he works the reserves, and
this particular individual that was struck — he may have had an
artificial limb, but if he did you couldn't tell it by his walk. He
struck the officer in the eye a good stiff jab.
Q. What did he strike him with, his fist?
A. Yes.
Q. You saw that ?
A. Yes, I did. I believe the officer got a black eye out of that
deal. The rest of them started edging in — — -
Q. (Interrupting) Toward the officers?
A. (Continuing) Yes. As they did, two uniformed officers drew
their saps, and this individual was struck over the head, and he
wasn't struck a dozen times, as Al Waxman said; he was struck
only once that I know of. That is the only blow I saw struck, and
he was struck down and placed under arrest. Al Waxman also
stated a woman with a baby in her arms was struck across the head
with a night stick.
Chairman Tenney : He said the baby was two and one-half years
old.
A. That is approximately the age of the baby. That woman
came up and said, 'Why are you arresting my son?' The officer
192 UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
walked with her to the corner and he told her that it was no place
for a woman at all, and he suggested she go home before she was
injured, before someone would strike her down and injure her,
but as far as his striking her across the face with a night stick, that
wasn't true. You can imagine what would have happened to her
if she had been struck across the face with a heavy night stick.
Previous to that
Mr. Combs: Q. (Interrupting) You were there and saw this
thing occur, and the woman was not struck ?
A. No, sir. Previous to the time of the riot Al Waxman run
articles in his paper stating hoodlums run wild on east side, purses
were snatched, automobiles stolen; what is the matter with police
protection? He will come over to the police department and tell
various policemen things the Mexican boys do, and then he will
turn right around and tell the Mexican boys what the police do.
Q. Did you ever know of a committee known as the Citizens'
Committee for the Defense of Mexican-American Youth ?
A. No, that 's a new one.
Q. Mr. Waxman is a member of the committee.
A. It wouldn 't surprise me.
Q. It is a fact, he so testified.
A. It wouldn't surprise me.
Q. Do you know whether or not Mr. Waxman is a member of the
Communist Party?
A. I have my own ideas ; I don 't know for sure.
Q. WThat is your idea?
A. I think he is. I don't think he'd blow his nose unless he
had a red hankerchief.
Q. What makes you think so?
A. From his actions, his attitude, the way he talks to people.
Q. Did you ever hear him talk to them ?
A. Yes, I talked to Al Waxman out at the meeting at Indiana.
He stated at the time they are not bad boj^s, the police don 't under-
stand— you fellows don't give them a chance, and I don't believe
it was only a little over two weeks before when he called them in
his paper zoot-suit hoodlums, purse snatchers, automobiles stolen,
where is police protection.
Q. Does he point out to the Mexican youth in that area that they
are discriminated against and subjected to racial prejudice and
police brutality ?
A. Well, I have had the Mexican boys tell me he has; I have
never actually seen him or heard him do it myself, but I have had
various ones of the boys over there tell me that he has said there
have been things that have happened on that east side, that the
police have used excess force and so forth.
Q. How long have you known Mr. Waxman?
A. Haven 't known him at all, only in the last six or seven months,
from being around over in that district.
Waxman, on the one hand, through the columns of his newspaper
and by public meetings, was inciting the Mexicans of the east-side by
telling them they were the victims of discrimination and, on the other
hand, he was urging the police to take drastic action against them.
UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA 193
COMMUNIST INSPIRATION
Leo Gallagher was another sponsor of the Committee for the Defense
of Mexican- American Youth. His Communist record is too well known
to be repeated here.
Oscar Fuss, another sponsor of the committee, has a consistent Com-
munist record since his arrival in California as an organizer for the
Communist-inspired and dominated Workers' Alliance.
Jerome Posner, of the Amalgamated Clothing Workers' Union, was
later elected State Chairman of the C. I. 0. Political Action Committee.
John Bright, representing the Council of Pan-American Democracies,
was a sponsor of the Committee for the Defense of Mexican- American
Youth. He has been active in Communist Party circles since 1934 or
1935, according to the files of the Committee. At one time he was a
member of the Hollywood John Reed Club, a Communist journalistic
organization named after the first American Communist. Bright was
active in raising funds for the Spanish Loyalists and the Spanish refu-
gees and was participating in Communist Party activities in the Repub-
lic of Mexico as late as the year 1940. John Leech, a former Communist
Party organizer for Southern California, testified before the Los Angeles
Grand Jury on August 15, 1940, that John Bright had escorted him
and Stanley Lawrence to an under-ground Communist group in West-
wood Village in 1935 or 1936. Bright is also a member of the National
Executive Board of the Communist-inspired and dominated League
of American Writers.
Josephine Bright is the wife of John Bright. She has been active in
Communist front Spanish-speaking organizations, congresses, Mexican
congresses, Mexican agricultural workers unions and Spanish minority
groups for a number of years. In recent months she has been active in
raising money for Spanish refugees in Mexico. In 1942 she endorsed
the candidacy of Mrs. La Rue McCormick, a registered Communist,
for the office of State Senator for the 38th Senatorial District.
Carey Mc Williams has a long record of Communist "front" affilia-
tions. He has written a number of books from the Communist Party
ideological viewpoint, notable mostly for inaccuracies and misinforma-
tion. In testifying before a Senate Committee in Sacramento in 1941
he was compelled to admit that many of the assertions in his book
"Factories in the Field" were without factual basis.
As a Communist "front" propagandist he specializes in agricultural
labor agitation and racial problems.
He testified before the committee in Los Angeles June 22, 1943 (Com.
Tr., Vol. XVIII, pp. 4329-4375). He stated emphatically that he had
never been a member of the Communist Party and that the allegations
concerning him contained in Miss Rena M. Vale's affidavit (Com. Report,
1943) were false. Without admitting their Communist inspiration and
domination, McWilliams admitted having been affiliated with the
National Lawyers' Guild, the Inter-Professional Association, the West-
ern Writers' Congress, the California Council for Democratic Action.
the School for Organizers, (sponsored by the United Cannery, Agricul-
tural, Packing and Allied Workers of America at Chino), the Simon
J. Lubin Society, the Committee for the Protection of Foreign-
Born, the Schneiderman Defense Committee, the Committee for Amer-
ican Unity, the Committee for the Defense of Mexican- American Youth ,
194 UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
and the Sleepy Lagoon Defense Committee. He has been affiliated with
so many similar organizations that he was unable to remember whether
or not he had been a sponsor of the Southern California Conference for
Civil Bights. He could not remember whether or not he had spoken
at a meeting sponsored by the League Against War and Fascism and
could not be sure whether or not he had ever affiliated with the League
for Political Unity. He stated that he had been elected to the board of
directors or the board of sponsors, of either the American Peace Cru-
sade or the American Peace Mobilization. He claimed that he had not
been present when the election took place and that his name had been
used without his authority. He stated that he had written a letter
repudiating the use of his name in connection with the organization
as soon as he had become aware of the fact. He freely admitted being
a subscriber to the Communist Party publication, "The People's Daily
World." Needless to say, all of these organizations are Communist
1 ' fronts. ' '
He believed that the "zoot-suit" phenomenon was a ''second genera-
tion" problem, aggravated by bad housing conditions, overcrowding,
lack of sanitation facilities, lack of recreational opportunities, and a
low standard of living. He believed that discrimination against the
Mexican people had contributed considerably to ill feeling. He believed
that there had been some police brutality but that police inaction, rather
than brutality, had permitted the situation to reach riot proportions.
The local metropolitan press of Los Angeles, in his opinion, had con-
tributed to the violence in exciting young Mexican boys to drastic
action.
Mc Williams' views on racial intermarriage are identical with Com-
munist Party ideology. On this subject he testified as follows (Com.
Tr., Vol. XVIII, pp. 4364-4366) :
Q. (By Chairman Tenney) I would like to ask you what you
think of miscegenation?
A. I think miscegenation statutes are a reflection of prejudice
in the community.
Q. You think they should be abolished ?
A. I do.
Q. You think there should be free intermarriage?
A. I don't think there should be a legal prohibition against
intermarriage, and I '11 tell you why : In the Southern States they
have had miscegenation statutes for years, it hasn't stopped inter-
racial sexual intercourse ; on the contrary the effect of it has been to
increase that very practice by reason of the fact that the white man
who has sexual relations with a negro woman is not held accountable,
he can't contract a valid marriage, and sociologists who have gone
into this subject at great length and who are very distinguished have
said the miscegenation statutes have had the opposite effect of what
it was intended to produce.
Q. Well, with the repeal of those statutes then, of course, marriage
between various races would be permissible and legal, and would you
advocate that ?
A. Mr. Tenney, it would be presumptious to advocate those mar-
riages. I am not advocating anyone marry ; I 'm saying that these
miscegenation statutes do not accomplish the purpose for which
UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA 195
they were passed in the first instance. I think they should be
repealed ; I think they are symbolic of existing prejudice in the com-
munities, and I feel this to the very degree, and I might say there is
a considerable weight of opinion to sustain this judgment, to the
very degree the negro race in the United States raises in the social
statute in education and so forth, to that very extent you will have less
interracial mixture than you have now, when they are, remember, at
a disadvantage as a racial minority group in the United States.
Q. I don't think you have answered my question.
A. You can repeat it. I think I have.
Q. I say, do you favor intermarriage ?
A. I say it is presumptious upon me to say that 'A' should marry
'B.'
Q. I understand. I am not talking about ' A ' and ' B. ' I am talk-
ing about the negroes and the whites.
A. I am not advocating. I think the prohibition should be
removed.
Sponsors and committee personnel of the Committee for the Defense of
Mexican- American Youth were changed from time to time in typical Com-
munist fashion. The Sleepy Lagoon Murder case, as a Communist cause
celebre, was used by Communist Party steering committees to feed the
racial agitation and antagonism created by the "zoot-suit" riots. Lag-
ging interest is bolstered by the addition of new names to ' ' sponsor ' ' and
1 ' committee ' ' lists, and Hollywood glamour is added by way of stimula-
tion. Pursuant to this technique the names of Fay Allen, Harry Bridges,
Revels Clayton, John Cohee, John Warren Day, Jaime Gonzales,
Augustus F. Hawkins, Martin Hourihan, John Howard Lawson, Canada
Lee, Professor F. 0. Matthiessen, Michael Quill, Reverend Clayton D.
Russell, R. Lai Singh, Albee Slade, Ferdinand C. Smith and Orson "Welles
were added to the list from time to time.
Orson Welles, a motion picture actor with a flair for politics and left-
wing committee work, wrote the foreword to a pamphlet entitled ''The
Sleepy Lagoon Case," which was printed in English and Spanish and
given a wide-spread distribution in the Los Angeles area.
The Communist record of Harry Bridges, as well as his activities on
the west coast, are too well known to be repeated here. He was found to
be a member of the Communist Party in his last deportation hearing.
The committee is not aware of any instance in which he has failed to
follow the Communist Party ' ' line. " It is interesting to note that prom-
inent Californians are being pressured or otherwise persuaded to appeal
to the President of the United States and United States Attorne}^ General
Francis Biddle on behalf of Harry Bridges. The Communists and their
front organizations are openly clamoring for a dismissal of the deporta-
tion order against this alien, basing their appeal on the alleged ground
that he has been an important factor in assisting the United States war
effort and that his deportation would disrupt "unity." In this cam-
paign for the alien Bridges, the Communists are using fellow-travelers,
political opportunists and "innocents" as Charlie McCarthy-spokesmen
in the creation of synthetic west coast public opinion on the subject. The
Communist "strategists," during the Hitler-Stalin pact, looked upon the
present world conflict as a " British Imperialist War. ' ' While Germany
196 UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
was overrunning Western Europe, the American Communists were busy
with the "American Peace Mobilization" and Communist-inspired strikes
in war industries in California and the United States. Harry Bridges '
C. I. 0. union was telling the world that "The Yanks Are Not Coming"
and actively engaged in creating chaos and disunity in the United States
defense preparations. It was not the treacherous attack of the Japanese
on Pearl Harbor December 7, 1941, that changed the attitude of Harry
Bridges, his west coast union or the Communists of the United States.
It was Hitler's panzer divisions sweeping into Soviet Russia in June of
1941 that changed the "British imperialist war" into "The people's
war". Had history taken a different direction in June of 1941 it is
quite possible that west coast shipping, under the direction of Harry
Bridges, might be in a deplorable condition. The Communist Party
recognizes the short memory and the short-sightedness of the American
people in general, and office-seeking officialdom, in particular.
Revels H. Cay ton is a seaman by occupation and has a long record of
affiliation with various Communist-controlled organizations. He was
registered as a member of the Communist Party in San Francisco in 1940.
In March of 1941 he signed an open letter to Governor Olson under the
sponsorship of the Academic and Civil Eights Committee, protesting the
outlawing of the Communist Party in the State of California. In Sep-
tember, 1941, he was a member of a panel on National and Racial Minor-
ities on a program sponsored by the California Action Conference for
Civil Rights, a Communist-inspired and dominated organization. In
July, 1943, he signed a call for, and was a member of, a "Pro- war Press"
conference at the First Unitarian Church located at Eighth and Vermont
Streets, in the City of Los Angeles on behalf of the "People's Daily
World." (See title, West Coast Communist Press.)
John Cohee is an officer of the Los Angeles Newspaper Guild, employed
by the Los Angeles Daily News and does radio work as a news analyist.
Rena Vale (pp. 154-155, Com.'s 1943 Report) stated that John Cohee of
the Los Angeles Daily News was one of the members of the Los Angeles
Newspaper Guild who was referred to by the Communists as a Communist
sympathizer and in whom the Communist Party fractions in the guild
placed its confidence. Cohee has been affiliated with the Joint Anti-
Fascist Refugee Committee and the Communist-inspired and dominated
League of American Writers.
John Howard Lawson, Hollywood screen writer, has a long record of
Communist activity and Communist front affiliations. He testified
before the committee October 13, 1944, in the committee's investigation
of the Communist-inspired and directed Writers' Congress held at the
University of California at Los Angeles in October of 1943. (See title
Writers' Congress.)
Professor F. 0. Matthiessen is reported as a member of the faculty of
Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts. Little is known of his
background. In December, 1941, he signed a preliminary petition spon-
sored by the Committee for Citizenship Rights, in behalf of William
Schneiderman, head of the Communist Party of California, who was faced
with cancellation of his United States citizenship.
Jerome Posner was connected with the Los Angeles joint board of the
Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America. He has served on various
committees welcoming visiting dignitaries from the Soviet Union. He
UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA 197
has interested himself during the present war in the soldiers of the Red
Army and at present is State Chairman of the C.I. 0. Political Action
Committee.
Michael Quill is President of the C. I. 0. Transport Workers' Union
of New York. In his capacity as the National President of the Transport
Workers' Union of America he was one of the 49 members with Commu-
nistic background who, sitting with the National Executive Board of the
C. I. 0., voted the creation of the Political Action Committee. (The C. I.
0. Political Action Committee and its activities in California is con-
sidered in another section of this report.)
R. Lai Singh is the editor of a Los Angeles publication, the "Indian
News." Articles and writers stamp this publication as Communistic.
Communist R. Balme Dutt, J. B. Haldame, English Communist, Harry
Paulette, head of the English Communist Party and other Communist
journalists appear as writers in the ' ' Indian News. ' ' Singh was a sponsor
and endorser for the "People's Daily World so-called' "Pro-War Press
Conference" heretofore referred to and has occasionally contributed
articles to the "California Eagle," owned and edited by Charlotta Bass.
In March, 1943, he spoke on "The Future of India" at the Embassy
Auditorium in Los Angeles under the auspices of the Los Angeles ' ' Work-
ers School," Communist Party educational project, now absorbed by the
Communist Party's "People's Educational Center."
THE SINARQUISTAS
Representatives of the committee visited the Los Angeles County Jail
and questioned many of the Mexican young men and women who had
been involved in the ' ' zoot-suit ' ' riots. Members of the sheriff 's depart-
ment and Los Angeles police officers were interviewed.
Committee investigators had secured photographs of Sinarquista meet-
ings. These photographs clearly reveal the flag of the organization in
full display on the platform.
Committee investigators and members of the Los Angeles Sheriff's
office had considerable difficulty in locating officials of the Sinarquistas
in the Los Angeles area. Pedro B. Villasenor eventually was served
with a subpena and appeared before the committee June 21, 1943. He
declared that he was a Mexican National. He had come to the United
States when about seven years of age and had been familiar with the
Sinarquistas movement since 1937. He stated that the movement was
organized in Mexico, May 23, 1937 by Manuel Zermano, Salvador Abas-
cal, and Jose Oliveras, all of whom were known personally to Villasenor.
He stated that the movement was directed by a National Committee in
Mexico. Mexico was divided into several regional Sinarquista areas, gov-
erned by subordinate regional committees. The regional areas were, in
turn, divided into municipal areas, which were governed by subordinate
committees. He had been secretaiy of the Los Angeles organization
since its inception and, for a time, was in charge of the Southern Califor-
nia region. Martin Cabrera was the Southern California regional direc-
tor at the time that Villasenor appeared before the Committee. The
organization met in Los Angeles once each week, usually at Martin
Cabrera's place of business. The general meetings for the entire mem-
bership were held on the first Sunday of each month at 830 S. Hicks
198 UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
Street, Los Angeles. It was stated that the general meetings were
always open to the public.
Pedro Villasenor stated that the area formerly under his jurisdiction
and now under the directorship of Martin Cabrera, extended south from
the Kern County line to the Mexican border, including San Diego and
Santa Barbara Counties, as well as the County of Los Angeles. The
Northern California region was described as running northward from the
northernmost boundary of Kern County and extending to, and includ-
ing, the City and County of San Francisco. Villasenor stated that a
Mr. Porfirio Rivira of Bakersfield headed the northern region at the
time Villasenor was in charge of the southern region.
Manuel Buena Torrez of Mexico governed the organization in Califor-
nia. Villasenor explained that the heads of the regions in the United
States were in communication with the Sinarquista Central Committee
of Mexico and stated that the central committee had complete authority
and jurisdiction 'over the movement everywhere. Villasenor admitted
having read articles in the Communist publication, "People's Daily
World/' in which it was charged that the Sinarquistas was a "Fifth-
Column Fascist" organization with a membership of 50,000 people in
California alone and, opposed to the American war effort, all of which
he denied. He stated that the organization in the Southern California
region never numbered more than 400 persons and it was his belief that
there were not more than 800 Sinarquista members in the State of Cali-
fornia.
COMMUNISTS VERSUS SINARQUISTAS
In order to understand the subtlety of Communist strategy in its
attack on the Sinarquista movement in California, it is necessary to
understand current Communist directives in Mexico, Latin and South
America. These directives and immediate objectives are boldly enunci-
ated in a speech of Elias Laferte, President of the Communist Party of
Chile, speaking before the Ninth Congress of the Communist Party of
Mexico in Mexico City, May 18, 1944. (See section of this report under
title "Communist Strategy in the Western Hemisphere.")
The reader should bear in mind that the committee, in this part of the
report, is more concerned with the controversy between the Communists
and the Sinarquistas than with the merit or demerit of the Sinarquista
movement itself. Committee findings on the Sinarquista movement, as
such, are hereafter set forth.
Pedro Villasenor was questioned closely concerning Communist
attacks upon the Sinarquista movement. His testimony follows (volume
XVII, pp. 4000-4009):
By Mr. Combs :
Q. Now, Mr. Villasenor, you speak of having been attacked by
the Communists. Will you explain what you mean by that ?
A. Yes, since some of the fellow citizens from Mexico came to the
United States there has been several attacks against us, saying we
are fifth columnists and we are receiving money from Hitler, we
are organizing the gangs, the zoot suiters on the east side, that we
are concentrating to destroy the war effort of the American people
and so forth — all those things against us, and I read all those
UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA 199
attacks in some magazines — I don 't recall the names — and especially
the Daily World.
Q. The People's Daily World*
A. The People's Daily World last year, and other Mexican Com-
munist papers that come, like the Popular that is printed in Mexico.
Chairman Tenney : That is a Communist paper ?
A. Yes.
Mr. Combs : Q. Your organization was attacked in the Popular ?
A. Yes.
Q. Does Lombardo Toledano write for the Popular ?
A. Yes, I think he does.
Q. And another magazine that is published in Mexico by Lom-
bardo Toledano is called Futeo ?
A. Yes.
Q. That is a Communist publication?
A. That 's a Communist publication.
Q. Published by Lombardo Toledano?
A. Yes.
Q. Have you ever seen attacks against the Sinarquistas in those
publications ?
A. Yes, and some American papers, like the Sunday Times from
New York, and, of course, the statement made here by Mr. Diaz,
made to the Times, I think last October of last year, the statement
made against us.
Q. Mr. who ?
A. Mr. Diaz (spelling), D-i-a-z.
Q. Do you know a man by the name of Eduardo Quevedo ?
A. I know the man, yes.
Q. Do you know whether or not he has made any attacks on your
organization ?
A. No, I don't know.
Q. You don 't know. Do you know whether or not he is a member
of the Communist Party ?
A. No, sir.
Q. Do you know whether he is active in doing things for the Mexi-
can youth ?
A. I read something about his activities.
Q. Have you seen the article in Time Magazine about his activ-
ities, that is, in today 's issue ?
A. No.
Q. You haven't seen that?
A. No.
Q. I hand you what purports to be the masthead of a newspaper,
a photostat, and it is entitled ' Special to the Sunday Worker, ' and
ask you whether or not you have ever seen this article? (Handing
to witness.)
A. No. I haven 't read this article.
Q. I hand you —
Chairman Tenney (Interrupting) : Identify that first.
Mr. Combs: Entitled "Mexico Sinarquista Vanguard of Hitler,"
first of two articles — "Hitler Fifth Column in Mexico," by Alfred
200 UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
Stelling of the Sunday Worker, dated Mexico City, September 22nd,
1942.
I hand you another photostat of the Daily Worker, New York,
Friday, April 24th, 1942, and call your attention to an article
headed, ' ' Mexican Government call Sinarquistas Traitors, ' ' and ask
you if you have seen that before? (Handing to witness.)
A. I might have read this article in some paper, but I don 't recall
the specific paper.
Q. What is the Sunday Worker, do you know ?
A. No, I don't know.
Q. Do you know what the Daily Worker is I
A. No, I haven 't read it.
Q. The Daily Worker, for your information, is the counterpart of
the People's Daily World on the Atlantic Coast, the Communist
newspaper published in New York.
A. I see.
Q. Is there a Sinarquista movement in any other country besides
Mexico and the United States ?
A. No such thing as the French Sinarquistas.
Q. Is there such a thing?
A. No, that is a good laugh to the Sinarquistas in Mexico.
Q. There was never such a movement?
A. No.
Q. Did you ever hear of a man by the name of Jacques Ladurie ?
A. No, sir.
Q. Did you read any place where he was supposed to be the chief
of the French movement ?
A. Yes, I think so.
Q. And appointed to the Laval cabinet in 1942?
A. I think in some paper.
Q. What place?
A. La Opinion.
Q. Who publishes that paper?
A. Mr. Ignacio Lozano.
Q. I hand you a clipping from Pic, August, 1942, entitled,
"American-Mexicans ask New Deal, " by Josephine Fiero de Bright,
and ask you if 3rou ever have seen this article before.
A. No. I haven't read this article.
Q. Do you know who the author of it is?
A. I heard about Mrs. Josephine de Bright.
Q. What did you hear about her?
A. The first time I heard, there was an article printed in the
Spanish magazine from the East, I think Chicago — around there —
it was printed, and I read an article against us.
Q. Against you ?
A. Against us. That is the first time I heard about it.
Q. What kind of a magazine was it?
A. I don 't recall the name of it.
Q. You don't know whether it was a communistic publication or
not?
A. No, I don 't know.
Q. You only
UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA 201
A. (Interrupting) I remember reading that article and it say-
ing she was coming to California to destroy us.
Q. To destroy the Sinarquista movement?
A. Yes.
Q. Did she come to California ?
A. She did.
Q. When did she arrive here?
A. I don 't know.
Q. About how long ago ?
A. I think that article I read was last year, sometime last year.
Q. Last year. And she is in Southern California now ?
A. I don 't know.
Q. You don't know that?
A. No.
Q. I'd like to read an excerpt from this article into the record.
Chairman Tenney : All right, go ahead.
Mr. Combs: This is from page 1, the specific date is August 4th,
1942 (reading) : "How many of our native Latin Americans
speak English, they can read only Spanish, and so never come in
contact with many of the facts about the war and the war effort,
that are every-day knowledge to their English-reading brothers.
Not only does this keep them from proper information as to the
part they can play in winning the war, but it makes them prey
to certain diversionist and even Fascist groups in their own midst.
"One such group is the Sinarquista movement, a reputedly
Fascist organization which has secured a foothold in Mexico itself,
and which is attempting to spread its propaganda to the Spanish-
speaking people of this nation. By using discrimination and
language difference as a basis, it attempts to create among these
people suspicion and distrust of both the United States and the
Mexican Governments." I ask this be received as Exhibit No. 5
for this witness.
Chairman Tennev: So ordered. (Marked Villasenor Exhibit
No. 5.)
Mr. Combs: Q. Has your organization ever attempted to do
the things that are alleged you have done in this article?
A. No, sir.
Q. You are sure of that ?
A. I am very sure of that.
Q. Has any other movement in Southern California endeavored
to your knowledge to do the things that are alleged in this article ?
A. Not that I know of.
Q. You are familiar with the activities of the Communist Party
in connection with American youth ?
A. The only thing I know is what I read about them.
Q. You have no first-hand knowledge ?
A. No.
Q. Did you ever hear of a committee for the defense of Mexican-
American youth?
202 UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
A. I read about it.
Q. Do you know whether or not Mrs. Bright is a member of that
committee ?
A. I am not sure about that.
Q. There have been some statements made, Mr. Villasenor, that
the Sinarquista movement has some connection with the Falangist
movement in Spain. Is that true ?
A. No, sir, no connection with no movement with no party or no
organization whatever.
Q. What is the Falangist movement in Spain?
A. I don 't know, sir.
Q. I see.
A. (Interrupting) I only heard something about it, I only heard
about it, I don 't know anything about it.
Q. I see. I now hand you a pamphlet entitled, "The New Hope
of the Mexican People — Synarquism. A Complete Summary of
Its Program and Principles." The date on the introduction is
January 6, 1943. And I ask you if you have seen one of those
before ? (Handing to witness.)
A. Yes, I have got one in my pocket right now.
Q. That is the one you told me you were going to bring ?
A. That's right.
Q. Does that contain a full description of the purposes of the
organization and the motives of the Sinarquista ?
A. That's true.
Q. You have read this yourself, have you (indicating) ?
A. I read it myself .
Q. Who wrote this pamphlet ?
A. I think Father Alcium Hoebel.
Q. And he lives at Mount Angel, Oregon, does he not I
A. Yes.
Q. Are you acquainted with him ?
A. I know about him, but I don 't know him.
Q. Does he have any official position that you know of ?
A. No.
Q. Is he connected with the church in any way ?
A. I think he is their priest.
Q. A Catholic priest ?
A. A Catholic priest.
■■::■ * # * #
Mr. Combs : Q. Mr. Villasenor, what was the underlying reason
for the organization of the Sinarquista movement in the first place ;
why was it formed ?
A. In Mexico?
Q. Yes.
A. Well, as far as the reasons, we have to make a little history
about that. You know Mexico has been the revolutionary country
for almost a hundred years, always been disorder in Mexico. Every
president elected there has to be a revolution — we all know that —
and we never had any order, we never did have any democratic
UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA 203
way of living in Mexico. Democracy in Mexico is excluded. We
never knew what it was, just in the propoganda of the politicos.
We never knew any justice done, especially to the poor classes of
people. We had some bad governments, they always destroyed,
especially in the religious way of living of the people. We knew
we had three years of persecution of Mexico, and the people of
Mexico were tired of that way of living, and Salvador Abascal,
Manuel Zeremo and some of the others got together and they decide
to start a new organization, different from the others that have
been organized in Mexico. So much difference that even the name,
even the tactics of working will be different entirely from the other
organizations that have ever been established in Mexico; and they
decide to create the Sinarquista movement there. They will organize
and educate the people to unite the country in one ideal ; that is, to
bring order and peace and a common good for all the people in
Mexico. They thought that the only way of organizing and estab-
lishing the real Christian democratic Mexico was to unite the people
and to unite they had to fight in the civic field, we might say — I 'm
sorry about my English
Q. (Interrupting) It is very good; it's all right.
A. (Continuing) — they knew they were going to have prosecu-
tion against them, many of them will be killed, there will be
assassinations — there has been almost a hundred members of our
organization has been assassinated, including three or four women
that have been killed because of working for the movement. And
they knew all that was going to come, and they decide to go and
organize the whole country, the whole people, bring them together,
not with hate or to destroy each other, but to establish love among
the Mexican people, the doctrine of loving even the enemies. Of
course, under the religion the sentiment of the people you know
99 per cent of the Mexican people is Catholic, and they saw all
that, and how they had been persecuted and knocked around, and
the country was full of disturbance and revolutions and disorder
and anarchy, and they decide to come out and fight. ' '
Mr. R. E. Combs, interrogating Mr. Villasenor, read several extracts
from various publications attacking the Sinarquista group as a subver-
sive organization. Among such extracts was a passage from the book,
"Total Espionage" by Curt Riess (pp. 236-237) to the effect that
"The German espionage system in Mexico used the Falange as its pay
clerk, especially to finance the so-called Sinarquista movement. ' ' (Com.
Tr., Vol. XVII, p. 4020.) Another excerpt was read to the witness
(Com. Tr., Vol. XVII, p. 4021) • "Question of name aside, the Sinar-
quists were a large murder gang, in West and Central Mexico, who
wage guerrilla warfare against labor unions (which they denounced
as Communistic) and against persons to whom President Cardenas
had given land. They were organized after the fuhrer system, of
course. For a time Manuel Zeremeno was fuhrer. He was succeeded
by Salvador Abascal, a friend of Birto Foucher's, who had to flee to
204 UN-AMEEICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
Berlin after his plot failed. Abascal gets plenty of money from some-
where, controls 10,000 armed men, and has the Sinarquists organized
on a military basis with an intelligence service, hideouts and arms
caches. The Sinarquists must be considered today the most dangerous
Fascist movement in Latin America. ' '
Villasenor's testimony continued (Com. Tr., Vol, XVII, pp. 4021-
4023) :
By Mr. Combs: Q. Have you ever seen that before, or any-
thing similar?
A. No, I haven 'fc read it.
Q. Is anything contained in the article true?
A. Absolutely nothing.
Q. It is absolutely false?
A. I was — I am just surprised all these people who lie about
the movement over there.
Q. You know of your own knowledge —
A. (Interrupting) I know those facts are not true, for the
Sinarquistas in Mexico have absolute orders not to carry any knife
or gun or any weapon whatever in there. Whenever they are
attacked by force, by any other group, they are always defenseless,
they cannot protect themselves when attacked by force. That
explains why almost 100 of the people have been killed, and none
of those people have been even injured by the Sinarquistas in
Mexico. Our people have been killed, but none of the other have
been killed, you see.
# # # # #
Q. It is your opinion, Mr. Villasenor, that most of these attacks
and most of this which you have termed propaganda against your
movement, is inspired from Communist sources ?
A. (Nods head affirmatively) — yes, sir.
Q. Your movement is very militantly and very aggressively
anti-Communist ?
A. Yes, sir ; absolutely.
Q. One of the principal tenets of your organization
A. (Interrupting) One of the principles because the Communists
in Mexico have done very much harm to the country. They agitate
the country, the people, and it is one of the principles of the
Sinarquistas to be against the ideas of the Communists.
Martin Cabrera gave his occupation as a printer with his business
located on East 12th Street in the City of Los Angeles. He stated that
he was a Mexican National and had been in Southern California since
1933. He had been acquainted with Pedro Villasenor for about seven
years and had met Salvador Abascal in Los Angeles in 1939 or 1940
when the Sinarquista Jefe was in Southern California in the interest
of the movement. He stated that he had replaced Pedro Villasenor as
the head of the Southern California group, and, since April, 1942, had
conducted meetings of the various units. Cabrera's testimony, in part,
follows: (Com. Tr., Vol, XVII, pp. 4045-4050.)
UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA 205
Mr. Combs : Q. Is your organization anti-Communist ?
A. Definitely, yes.
Q. Very much, isn't it?
A. Very much, yes.
Q. And always has been?
A. Always has been.
Q. You have some knowledge, have you not, of the activities of
the Communist Party among the young Mexican people in Southern
California ?
A. Well, the way I see, they have always been trying to
befriend
Q. (Interrupting) The Communists have always been trying to
befriend
A. (Continuing) — always tried to befriend the young people — in
fact, during the recent riots all the Communist papers I have a copy
of them, I brought just part, because it says something about us
being behind the Mexican boy gangs.
Q. Go right ahead with your testimony.
A. Well, the only thing I can say they befriended the young-
people, always trying to show that they were their friends and that
they will help them in every opportunity they have. I don't read
very much of this paper except when I have time.
Q. Does your organization try to offset that ?
A. Well, our organization is composed of men who work for a
living. Anything that is put in there, well, it 's donated. In fact,
some of our members in order to discharge some of their duties
have to leave their work and lose money, because they don't get
anything for it. Sometimes they even have to pay for things that
they have to get in the organization.
Q. Is it your feeling that the Communist Party played any part
in the stirring up of the recent zoot suit controversy ?
A. It is almost a rule whenever they try to put the blame on some-
body else, it is a general rule, because they have something them-
selves.
Q. I see. And have they in this instance endeavored to do that ?
A. They have always been trying to put the blame on the Sinar-
quista 's shoulders.
Q. For this particular disturbance ?
A. Yes, it says so in the bottom of the little article.
Q. You mean regarding the source of the fifth columnists ?
A. The fifth columnists — it says there (indicating).
Q. This is from the People's Daily World, Saturday, May 29th,
1943, page 3, the title of the article is "Behind the Mexican boy
gang. Minority needs equal chance in the war effort. ' ' The eighth
point in the article reads (reading) :
"The fifth column in the Mexican community, the Sinarquista
movement must be exposed and isolated. ' '
206 UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
Below that is another title entitled, "A source of danger." In
the same paper, "Sinarquista metropolitan press whitewashes it."
(Reading) :
' ' The fledgling Sinarquista fifth column recently held a convention
here at Eppell Hall, 830 South Hicks Street, several hundred fol-
lowers attended. The Sinarquista celebrated the first anniversary of
the birth of the organization. Martin Cabrera, head of the regional
committee, presided. Pedro Villasenor, Luis Uranga, Miguel
Lequspi and Jesus Arroyo spoke. The Herald Express reporting
the meeting said that 'The Sinarquista is an anti- Communist soci-
ety. ' The Times reported that it is a Mexican social and civic organ-
ization. Neither newspaper indicated that it is a Fascist organiza-
tion, closely related to the Falange, whose headquarters are in
Spain, and whose boss is in Berlin. ' '
Q. How did you happen to get this copy ?
A. One of our members happened to get hold of it, and he brought
it to me so we can keep it in our records. We have other clippings of
papers in which they always battle us, and naturally, we have to
offset that somehow, the best way we can.
Q. Yes. How do you do that ?
A. By verbal propaganda, telling our members how to act and
what to do. Usually we recommend them to be quiet and not stir
up any fights with the opposite side.
Q. You tell that to your young people ?
A. Absolutely.
Q. Is it your idea the Communists are a good thing for the young
Mexicans ?
A. I don 't think so.
Q. "Why don 't you think so ?
A. The Communist Party has always been proven very violent,
and any organization that stirs anything like that up, that can 't be
any good to any group of people alone.
Q. You say they are very violent — do you mean by that the Com-
munist Party has agitated Mexican youth in this vicinity to cause
trouble and to get into difficulty ?
A. I have no proof of that, but the way it looks I think, yes.
Q. You think it has happened ?
A. Yes.
Q. Why do you think the Communist Party would be interested
in doing that sort of thing, Mr. Cabrera ?
A. Well, simply because maybe that way they serve their pur-
poses.
Q. You mean in getting members in their organization?
A. In getting members in their organization and getting them to
believe they are their friends, and get them to their side.
Q. I see. Have you any knowledge of the fact that the Commu-
nists have pointed out to the young Mexicans that they have been dis-
criminated against and subjected to prejudice?
UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA 207
A. No, I have no proof of that, but I have a definite attitude to
that fact that is so.
Q. As a matter of fact, one of the main principles of your organ-
ization is combatting Communism, isn 't that true ?
A. Combatting Communism.
Q. Have you ever heard of a man by the name of Lombardo Tole-
dano in Mexico ?
A. Very much so.
Q. Who is he?
A. The head agitator in Mexico.
Q. In what party ?
A. The Communist Party.
Q. How do you know that ?
A. Because all the papers say a lot about him.
Q. About being a Communist ?
A. He has always been a Communist.
Q. His first name is Lombardo ?
A. Yes, I think it is, I think he is the representative of the party
in Russia.
Q. He lives in Mexico?
A. He lives in Mexico.
Q. Does he write for any publication in Mexico ?
A. I really don't know that.
Q. Did you ever see anything he has written in any publication ?
A. In his own.
Q. You were about to say something.
A. In all papers; we used to get a paper here from Mexico, the
Sinarquista, and they usually expose all his activities, every now
and then our members go there, and it always says about him he's
the principal agitator there.
Q. Do you know whether he had anything to do with the care of
the Loyalist refugees from Communist Spain ?
A. That I think was fostered by the Cardenas government. In
fact, I think they brought into Mexico those people, and it is one of
the sources of all this trouble.
Q. Did you ever hear of an organization known as the Joint Anti-
Fascist Refugee Committee ?
A. I never have, never heard anything about that. ' '
Many witnesses were called and examined by the committee in connec-
tion with the Sinarquista movement. Villasenor, Cabrera, and the
officers and members of Sinarquistas were cooperative. Membership lists
were readily secured for committee investigators and representatives of
the committee had no difficulty in attending the meetings of the organi-
zation. Committee investigators could find nothing conspiratorial in
the manner in which the organization conducted its affairs and nothing
was found in the principals and objectives of the organization indicating
an attack upon the Government of the United States or the State of Cali-
fornia. Representatives of the Catholic Church were interviewed by
208 UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
committee representatives and it was learned that, so far as the Church
was concerned, the Sinarquista movement was not considered
' ' subversive. ' '
COMMUNIST AGITATION AMONG NEGRO CITIZENS
Le Roy R. Ingram, Secretary-Manager of the Eastside Chamber of
Commerce in Los Angeles, testified (Com. Tr., Vol. XVIII, pp. 4258-4301)
that the members of his race residing on the east side of the City of Los
Angeles had been apprehensive for many months of possible racial dis-
turbances. He believed that the same forces agitating the Mexican
population were at work in the Negro sections of Los Angeles. He
stated that the Communist Party had, for several years, carried on an
agitational program among the Negro citizenry as it had among the
Mexican youth of the city. He declared that the Communist Party was
constantly attempting to place their members in the Eastside Chamber
of Commerce, which is a conservative, anti-Communist organization of
colored people. Mr. Ingram stated that his organization had presented
an anti-discrimination bill to the State Legislature in 1943 and had been
advised by Guy T. Nunn, an official with the Minority Division of the
Manpower Commission, and who was, as heretofore noted, one of the
sponsors of the Citizens' Committee for the Defense of Mexican- Ameri-
can Youth, to contact an attorney in San Francisco by the name of Aubrey
Grossman. Aubrey Grossman has a long record of Communist front
affiliations and has long been identified with the defense of members of
the Communist Party. Mr. Ingram testified that Mr. Nunn had sug-
gested that Josephine Bright, another sponsor for the Committee for the
Defense of Mexican- American Youth, also be contacted.
Mr. Ingram testified that he had known Charlotta Bass, owner and
publisher of the "California Eagle," for a number of years, and stated
that, prior to the death of J. H. Bass, Charlotta Bass' husband, the news-
paper was conservative in character. There was little change in the
newspaper after the death of J. H. Bass, until about the end of 1941, when
it suddenly became quite radical. Ingram stated that Mrs. Bass had
interested herself in various Communist-front organizations and that her
newspaper now carried the same type of material as appeared in the
"People's Daily World." He was very positive in his belief that the
"California Eagle" had played a vital role in stirring up Negro and
Mexican minorities by constantly declaring that both the Negro and
Mexican population were being discriminated against and subjected to
unfair treatment and police brutality.
R. G. LaMar, Field Secretary of the Eastside Chamber of Commerce,
testified that he had organized the chamber about six years before and
that it had been the one organization in the colored district that had been
active in attempting to offset the constant efforts of the Communist Party
in dominating the Negro population of east side Los Angeles. It was
his opinion that the National Negro Conference and the National Asso-
ciation for the Advancement of Colored People had been infiltrated by
Communist Party members to such an extent that these organizations
were presently little more than Communist fronts.
UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA 209
Mr. Ingram and Mr. LaMar displayed an unusual knowledge of Com-
munist technique.
FINDINGS
The members of the Committee believe that the investigation of the
"zoot-suit" riots in Los Angeles resulted in exposing Communist tech-
nique in fomenting racial prejudices and antagonisms. Vicious agita-
tion, subtle conspiratorial intrigue, adroit manipulation of human
relationships, skillful play upon prejudices and antagonisms — that is
the devilish pattern woven by revolutionary Marxists as revealed by the
Committee's "zoot-suit" investigations. Disrespect for law and order,
and for the economic system it protects, is interwoven carefully through-
out. Rearing its ugly head in sneering triumph over the havoc it has
wrought is the monster who prepared and spread the poison — now
posing as the champion of those it victimized.
Reports of Communist activity among the Negro population of Cali-
fornia, particularly in the Los Angeles area, indicate a similar program
of racial agitation. Informed Negro citizens, such as Leroy Ingram and
R. G. LaMar, are keenly aware of the situation and they are considerably
alarmed over it. The Committee finds that the Communists will continue
to foment racial strife and violence. They will, so far as possible, conceal
their hand in the agitational process. They will take advantage of every
event, exploit discrimination and antagonisms where they exist, invent
them where they do not exist and magnify and balloon trifles into moun-
tains. The "zoot-suit" riots will not be the last racial disturbances
in California if the Communists are successful in their program. It is
Marxian dialectic applied with Machiavellian subtleties.
The Committee finds that the Sinarquista organization is composed
mostly of Mexican Nationals and that it is governed by a leader and a
central committee in a foreign country, Mexico.
The Committee is convinced that the Sinarquistas had nothing to do
whatever with the agitation and fomenting of the "zoot-suit" disturb-
ances in Los Angeles. The evidence clearly indicates that the Com-
munist Party selected this organization for the public spotlight as it
went about its vicious work creating a Mexican ' ' minority ' ' in California.
The Committee is not in possession of any additional facts upon which
it might modify its 1943 findings on the Sinarquista movement. While
it has many of the aspects of authoritarianism and much of the trappings
of modern totalitarian movements, it is definitely Mexican in character
and concerned wholly with Mexico and Mexicans. Its leaders are
undoubtedly aware of the program of the Communist Party in its attack
on both the Government and the Catholic Church, as set forth in the
speech of Senator Elias Laferte, and, because of the struggle between
the Church and atheistic revolutionary Communism, the Sinarquistas
are, at this time, the particular target of the Communists both in Mexico
and in the United States.
The speech of Senator Elias Leferte clearly states the position and
policy of the Communist Party in this hemisphere. The Sinarquistas
are avowedly intensely religious and adherents of the Roman Catholic
210 UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
faith. Senator Laferte, as a Communist spokesman, set the destruction
of Roman Catholicism among Mexicans and Latin-Americans as the first
task for the Communists. The members of the Sinarquistas have been
most aggressive in resisting the efforts of the Communist Party in the
Republic of Mexico. These are a few of the reasons why the Communist
Party in California attempted to lay the blame for the ' ' zoot-suit ' ' riots
at the door of the Sinarquistas.
The Committee finds that the Communist publication, "The People's
Daily World", the "California Eagle" and Al Waxman's "East side
Journal" played an important part in the agitation of the Mexican
Pachucos, both in preparing for the riots and in keeping the issue
alive when the violence had ceased. The similarity of the campaign
in these publications is not explained as being merely coincidental.
The Committee finds that the Committee for the Defense of Mexican-
American Youth is a Communist-inspired and dominated organization.
The Committee finds that there was no police brutality in the handling
of the "zoot-suit" disturbances. It finds, to the contrary, that members
of the Los Angeles police force and sheriff's office were, in the per-
formance of their duty, seriously injured, killed, ambushed and beaten.
10
CONCLUSION
As the hooked cross of Nazi Germany is pounded into the dust by the
forward march of allied armies, the shadow of the hammer and sickle
of Russian Communism falls across a devastated, war-torn Europe.
Tito dominates Yugoslavia. Ercoli is back in Italy. Thorez has
returned to France. The Communists of Greece, Holland and Belgium
are organizing. A Moscow-dominated "Free Germany Committee"
awaits Stalin's orders. A "Free Polish Committee", Communist-
inspired and dominated, is taking over Poland. Latvia, Estonia and
Lithuania are being reannexed to the Soviet Union. Every anti-
Communist is being liquidated by the Communists as a "Fascist."
Stalin will not permit an "anti-Communist" or unfriendly government
to exist in postwar Europe. The shadow creeps across India, inner
Mongolia and into struggling China.
Can we depend on international pacts ? A 10-year non-aggression pact
between the U. S. S. R. and Poland was signed on July 25, 1932, and
extended for 10 years May 5, 1935. Soviet troops invaded Poland Sep-
tember 17, 1939. Non-aggression pacts were solemnly signed between
the U. S. S. R., Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania. All of these pacts were
violated by an invasion of these countries by Soviet troops while the pacts
were in full force and effect. Soviet troops invaded Latvia June 17, 1940.
The Estonian border was crossed by Soviet troops June 17, 1940. Lithu-
ania was invaded by Soviet troops June 15, 1940. A non-aggression pact
with Finland was extended for 10 years April 7, 1934. Soviet troops
invaded Finland November 29, 1939.
It should be remembered that the Soviet Union, together with Estonia,
Latvia, Poland, Iran, Roumania and Finland defined "aggression" as
including an invasion by armed forces or an attack by any type of armed
UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA 211
forces with or without a declaration of war. Pacts with Estonia, Latvia,
Poland, Iran and Roumania under this definition of "aggression" were
signed July 3, 1933. Similar documents were signed between the Soviet
Union and Lithuania on July 5, 1933, and with Finland July 23, 1933.
Soviet troops invaded Roumania June 28, 1940.
The address of Senator Elias Laferte before the Ninth Congress of the
Communist Party of Mexico boldly announces the Communist plan for
domination of the Western Hemisphere. The attack on religion and
Democratic institutions is to continue with increased vigor. The Com-
munist plan for the conquest of the Americas is a clear challenge. Senator
Laferte speaks clearly and positively of Communist objectives and the
establishment of American Soviets. The closing words of Communist
Laferte are important :
' ' In this manner, little by little, we shall infiltrate our theories of
positivism and individual and collective economy in order that the
new generations will consider that all these religions are no more
than garbage, that must be cleared away as soon as possible in order
to permit a better life. It is suitable then, comrades, that we keep
in mind these orientations in order that when you return to your
zones, you may give instructions to your units on the form of com-
batting the power of the Catholic Church, assisting the rest; and
that you may prepare yourselves for the crusade which must carry us
to triumph. The road of salvation of Mexico only has one sure road.
Let us prepare ourselves for Mexico and Latin America to be ready
to play a dominant role in the future Communist conquest of the
world. From this nation let there go out the conquerors to other
countries less prepared. Let Mexico convert herself into a centrif-
ugal force for all the continent ; let Mexico be the country of freedom
with the proletariat and the American Soviet. Let us launch from
here the first shout of freedom, and on hearing this battle cry, the
stirring voice of our people, all the other peoples of America may
run immediately, raising very high the red and black banner of
social revindication. Our work is to aid, to aid more and more all
those in the Americas who fight for our Cause, to integrate all
their forces to the contribution of the struggle ; to organize a great
political movement of unity, which consolidated with the struggle
of the people and the Communist Patriots, faithful to the Father-
land of the World Proletariat, faithful to the U. 8. S. B., will impel
us to draw us to the glorious, happy day which is about to arrive ;
the radiant day of liberation for all the world which will arrive with
the overthrow of capitalism. ' '
The "sharp turns" and flexibility of Communist strategy demands
eternal vigilance on the part of those who wish to preserve our Democratic
form of government. The coming seventh period of Communist strategy
will be a critical period for the United States. The violent and forceful
overthrow of the Government will be decreed when Communist generals
believe that the body politic has been sufficiently penetrated and
weakened.
Part of the Communist "softening up" process is its campaign of
vilification against State Legislatures and the Congress of the United
212 UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
States. The C. I. 0. Political Action Committee has replaced the Com-
munist Party as a political power. It is well organized and Communists
are in key spots throughout the organization. Earl Browder and the
hierarchy of Communist Party "brains" are directing this thoroughly
regimented political organization. It should be needless to state that this
direction is not for the welfare of the United States, but for its
destruction.
The close of the war will bring new Communist onslaughts on State
Legislatures and on the Congress of the United States. Every effort will
be made to elect Marxists or Communist fellow-travelers to Legislative
offices in the elections to come. Proposals will be continually introduced
in the Legislature designed to destroy the economic and social structure
of the State and Nation.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and other National and State
agencies are powerless to curb the activities and machinations of the
Communist Party. These agencies are only effective after a crime has
been actually committed. They are powerless to stop the continuous
sabotage and destruction of the under-structure of our form of govern-
ment. Violence will not come until the complete structure of our eco-
nomics, our social order and our Government are undermined and weak-
ened. It will then be too late.
Subversive elements hide behind the Bill of Rights like a kidnapper
hides behind his victim when surrounded by an armed posse. Legislation
directed at subversive individuals and organizations invariably injure
innocent by-standers. The flexibility of Marxian strategy is such that its
devotees are enabled to side-step legislation aimed at their practices. The
Voorhis Act of 1940, calling for the registration of all individuals owing
allegiance to a foreign country or ism was easily evaded by the Commu-
nist Party of the United States in ' ' disaffiliating ' ' with the Third Com-
munist International. They evade laws aimed at their activities with the
agility of a flea eluding capture in a blanket.
Exposure and publicity are the two things that subversives can not
endure. They "wither away," like Marx's imaginary last state, in an
informed community. The public must be educated concerning Co.mmu-
nist ideology and Legislative bodies and public officials must make it a
patriotic duty to study and understand the falsity, the brutality and the
ultimate aims of Communism.
The committee recommends that the Joint Fact-Finding Committee on
Un-American Activities in California be continued. The subversive
character of the individuals and organizations crying for the discontinu-
ance of the committee is the best evidence of the necessity for its con-
tinuation.
Respectfully submitted.
Jack B. Tenney, Chairman
Hugh M. Burns
Nelson S. Dilworth
Jesse Randolph Kellems, Ph.D.
Randal F. Dickey.
INDEX
A
Page
ABASCAL, SALVADOR— Founding of Sinarquista Movement by 197
AIDLIN, JOSEPH W.—
endorser of Pro- War Press Conference, People's Daily World 139
other activities of 139
ALGREN, NELSON—
member of National Council of League of American Writers 126
signer of call for American Writers' Congress 121
ALLARD, JOHN — member of Provisional Committee, People's Educational
Center 137
ALLEN, FAY—
endorser of Pro- War Press Conference, People's Daily World 139
member of Provisional Committee, People's Educational Center 137
other activities of 139
sponsor of Citizens Committee for Defense of Mexican-American Youth 195
AMERICAN LEGION—
assistance given committee by 6
opposing Tulelake as center for disloyal Japanese 58
AMERICAN NEWSPAPER GUILD— listed as participating in Hollywood
Writers Mobilization 117
AMERICAN PRO-JAPANESE ORGANIZATIONS— civil liberties of Nisei,
primary concern of 62
AMERICAN WRITERS' CONGRESS—
affiliation of International Union of Revolutionary Writers 120
communistic character of 122
effect of war on 128
favorable expressions re 122-124
list of persons signing first call for 121
list of persons signing third call for 127
photostatic copy of proceedings of, in possession of committee 121
report of investigation by Attorney General Francis Biddle of 134
ANDERSON, RAY — testimony of, re Hawaiian Constructors 20
ANTI-DEFAMATION LEAGUE— assistance given committee by 6
APPEL, BENJAMIN — signer of call for third American Writers' Congress 127
ARLT, GUSTAVE — member of Writers' Congress Advisory Committee 116
ARMENZA, JESSIE — sponsor of Citizens Committee for Defense of Mexican-
American Youth 182
ARMSTRONG, ARNOLD B.— signer of call for American Writers' Congress 121
ARVIN, NEWTON— signer of call for third American Writers' Congress 127
ASCH, NATHAN — signer of call for American Writers' Congress 121
ASSEMBLY CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 59—
committee appointed pursuant to 5
power vested in committee by 5
ASSIGNMENT TO BERLIN— Flannery, Harry W., author of 15, 17
AUSTIN, R. G. — asks assistance in locating wife interested in Mankind United 45
AVERY, R. S. — member of Provisional Committee, People's Educational Center 137
B
BAKUNIN, MICHAEL — excerpt from writings of, re Karl Marx 68
BARBUSSE, HENRI — honorary Presidium of Workers' Cultural Federation.. 119
BASS, CHARLOTTA—
endorser of Pro-War Press Conference, People's Daily World 139
Ingram Le Roy testimony re 208
member of Provisional Committee, People's Educational Center 137
sponsor of Citizens Committee for Defense of Mexican-American Youth 1S2
testimony of, re Communist activities 185
(213)
214 UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
Page
BASSHE, EMJO — among American writers on staff of International Union of
Revolutionary Writers 119
BEIN, ALBERT — signer of call for third American Writers' Congress 127
BELL, ARTHUR—
affidavit of Samuel N. Ebb re *43
believed possessed of strange powers, by followers of 32, 33
creator of Mankind United 32
difficulty with labor unions 43
extensive property purchases of 34
indicted, sentenced 33
lack of knowledge of, re Bible : 40
sole authority of Mankind United vested in 39
testimony of, re religious knowledge 40-43
BELL, MRS. RUBY—
as trustee for Christ's Church of the Golden Rule 38
testimony of —
re activities of husband 38
re property holdings 35-38, 39-40
BEMIS, GRAY—
endorser of Pro-War Press Conference, People's Daily World 139
other activities of 140
BEMIS, GREGG — sponsor of Citizens Committee for Defense of Mexican-
American Youth 182
BENJAMIN, NORA — signer of call for third American Writers' Congress 127
BERNE, LOUIS ALAN— member of National Executive Board C. I. O 147
BERNSTEIN, ALINE— listed as signer of call for third American Writers'
Congress 127
BEST, RAYMOND—
as director of Tulelake 55
imprisoned by Tulelake Japanese 56
BIDDLE, ATTORNEY GENERAL FRANCIS—
conference with Jack B. Tenney, re Rohl case 30
report of investigation by, re Communist writers' organizations 134
BIRD, DICK — attorney in Sleepy Lagoon Murder Case 175
BLACKWELL, JUANITA— affidavit of, re Plack-Rohl relationship 15
BLANKFORT, MICHAEI^member of National Council of League of American
Writers 126
BLOWITZ, BILL — member of Writers' Congress advisory committee 116
BLUHM, WILLIAM — member of Los Angeles County Council Political Action
Committee 148
BODENHEIM, MAXWELL—
member of National Council of League of American Writers 126
signer of call for American Writers' Congress 121
BOLSHEVISM— applied to Marxian theories 83
BOYD, THOMAS— signer of call for American Writers' Congress 121
BRADLEY, GEORGE— member of Provisional Committee, People's Educa-
tional Center 137
BRAND, MILLEN — signer of call for third American Writers' Congress 127
BRASHER, VANCE— testimony of, re Pachucos 169-171
BREUER, BESSIE— signer of call for third American Writers' Congress 127
BREWSTER, DOROTHY— signer of call for third American Writers' Con-
gress 127
BRIDGES, HARRY—
Communist activities of 195, 196
member of National Executive Board, C. I. O 147
sponsor of Citizens Committee for Defense of Mexican-American Youth 195
BRIGHT, JOHN—
other activities of 193
sponsor of Citizens Committee for Defense of Mexican-American Youth 182
BRIGHT, JOSEPHINE— Communist activities of 193
BROMFIELD, LOUIS — signer of call for third American Writers' Congress 127
BROOKS, VAN WYCH—
member of National Council of League of American Writers 126
signer of call for third American Writers' Congress 127
UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA 215
BROWDER, CARL— Page
instructions of, to Communist Party 155
power of, in Workers' Schools 136
signer of call for American Writers' Congress 121
BROWDER, EARL—
statement by —
re American Writers' Congress 123
re Communist textbook 154
BROWN, BOB — signer of call for American Writers' Congress 121
BROWN, STERLING— member of National Council of League of American
Writers 126
BUCHMAN, SIDNEY—
member of Writers' Congress advisory committee 116
other activities of 117
signer of call for third American Writers' Congress 127
BURKE, E. F.— member of National Executive Board, C. I. O 148
BURKE, FIELDING—
member of National Council of League of American Writers 126
signer of call for American Writers' Congress 121
BURKE, KENNETH—
member of executive committee of League of American Writers 126
signer of call for first American Writers' Congress 121
signer of call for third American Writers' Congress 127
BURNS, HUGH M. — appointed member of committee 5
BUSHIDO—
definition of 49
code of permits deceit and treachery 52
C
CABRERA, MARTIN— testimony of, re Linarquista movement 205-207
CALDECOTT, REV. ERNEST— as pastor of Los Angeles Unitarian Church— 143
CALDWELL, ERSKINE—
signer of call for first American Writers' Congress 121
signer of call for third American Writers' Congress 127
testimony of Clyde Shoemaker re 178-180
CALLAHAN, W. E., CONSTRUCTION COMPANY— re installations near
Pearl Harbor 18
CALMER, ALAN—
member of National Council of League of American Writers 126
signer of call for American Writers' Congress 121
CANTWELL, ROBERT—
member of National Council of League of American Writers 126
signer of call for American Writers' Congress 121
CAPITALISM—
accepted by Utopians 71
definition of 70
CARDONA, ROGER — sponsor of Citizens Committee for Defense of Mexican-
American Youth 183
CARLISLE, HARRY — member of National Council of League of American
Writers 126
CARMON, WALTER — tested among American writers on staff of International
Union of Revolutionary Writers 119
CARP, SAM — head of Carp Export and Import Company 104
CARROLL, R. G.—
activities with Arthur Bell, cited 33, 34
testimony of, re Arthur Bell 34
CASE, FOX — member of Writers' Congress advisory committee 116
CAYTON, REVELS—
endorser of Pro-War Press Conference, People's Daily World 139
other activities of 140
CHAMBERS, WHITAKER— listed among American writers on staff of Inter-
national Union of Revolutionary Writers 119
CHAPIN, KATHERINE G.— signer of call for third American Writers' Con-
gress 127
216 UN-AMEEICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
CHAPMAN, RUBY V.— Page
maiden name used by Mrs. Ruby Bell 35
property of Arthur Bell, purchased in name of 34
CHEVALIER, HAAKON— active in Pacific Coast branch of League of Amer-
ican Writers 128
CHRISTENSEN, PARLEY PARKER—
endorser of Pro-War Press Conference, People's Daily World 139
other activities of 140
statement of re People's Daily World 140
CHRISTOPHER, C. L — testimony of, re zoot-suiter riots 165-167
CHRIST'S CHURCH OF THE GOLDEN RULE—
cited as unit of Mankind United 39
incorporated by Arthur Bell 33
Mrs. Ruby Bell, as trustee for 38
teachings of 40-43
C. I. O. NATIONAL EXECUTIVE BOARD— list of minority dominating 147
C. I. O. POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE—
appointed of leaders of 148
background work preparatory to formation of 151
creation of, as front for Communist Party 147
report of R. E. Combs re 147-159
Sidney Hillman, as leader of 147
strength of, in elections 159
CITIZENS COMMITTEE FOR DEFENSE OF MEXICAN-AMERICAN
YOUTH—
excerpt from pamphlet distributed by 183
list of sponsors of 182-183
sponsorship of, by Communist Party 182
testimony of George Contreras re 184
CLAY, EUGENE—
member of National Council of League of American Writers 126
statement by, re / Have Seen Black Hands 124
CLAYTON, REVELS—
sponsor of Citizens Committee for Defense of Mexican-American Youth 195
other activities of 196
CLINE, MINNABELL — sponsor of Citizens Committee for Defense of Mexican-
American Youth 182
CLINE, PAUL — principal speaker at Pro-War Conference 143
CLURMAN, HAROLD — member of executive committee of League of American
Writers 126
COATES, ROBERT— signer of call for American Writers' Congress 121
COBB, HUMPHREY— signer of call for third American Writers' Congress 127
COHEE, JOHN—
sponsor of Citizens Committee for Defense of Mexican-American Youth 195
other activities of 196
COHEN, LESTER—
signer of call for first American Writers' Congress 121
signer of call for third American Writers' Congress 127
COLBY, MERLE — member of National Council of League of American Writers 126
COLLINS, RICHARD—
member of Writers' Congress advisory committee 116
other activities of 117
COMBS, R. E.—
appointed chief investigator of committee 6
report of, re C. I. O. Political Action Committee 147-159
COMINGORE, DOROTHY— sponsor of Citizens Committee for Defense of Mex-
ican-American Youth 182
COMINTERN—
creation of 83, 85
establishment of, as foundation of Communist Party 146
testimony of Jack Moore re 153
COMMITTEE FOR DEFENSE OF MEXICAN-AMERICAN YOUTH—
sponsors of 184, 185, 193, 195
testimony of Mrs. La Rue McCormick re 184
COMMONWEALTH OF OCEANA— theme of, cited 71
UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA 217
COMMUNISM— Page
beliefs of 89
ethics of 74
findings of committee, re 66
in Western Hemisphere, address of Laferte re 105-115
objectives of, unchanged 6
philosophy of 68
policy of, on Japanese 59
statement of J. Edgar Hoover re_ 67
'three steps to 1 86
COMMUNIST MANIFESTO—
proletariat regards, as bible 80
quotations from 80- 82
COMMUNIST PARTY—
activities of, in Western Hemisphere 103
activities of members of in Citizens Committee for Defense of Mexican-Ameri-
can Youth 182, 183
agitation among Negro population by 208
aid given to founding of, by John Reed 86, 87
attack at Pearl Harbor gives impetus to 130
attacks upon Sinarquista Movement by_ 198-201
attitude of, re United States entering war 90
change in policies of, due to war 128, 129
C. I. O. Political Action Committee as front for 147
committee to investigate activities of 5
control commissions of 89
controlled by Comintern 85
disaffiliation of, with Comintern 79
discipline of members of by control commissions 89
domination of labor unions by 158
early days of, in United States 88, 89
effect of propaganda by, on legislatures 158, 159
history of writers' organizations of 118-119
infiltration of members of, into State government 99
influence of Marx interpretation of history on 97
instructions of Earl Browder to 155
interest of, in Sleepy Lagoon Murder Case 174
iron control over members of 89
lack of prestige of, in United States 147
legal and illegal organizations of 91
name changing of organizations of 102
name of, changed to Communist Political Association 103
organizing of, assisted by C. A. K. Martens 87
organizations sponsored by 88
outgrowth of Russian revolution 86
People's Educational Center as propaganda school of 136
political beginnings of 146
postwar strategy of 97-100
press publications representing 138-143
propaganda agencies of 97
report of Peace Officers Association re 91- 93
Sinarquistas Movement discussed in press of 172-174
testimony of Jack Moore re 153
Unitarian Church used as meeting place 143
William Schneiderman testimony, re 93- 97
youth movements of, duplicates of Russia's 88
COMMUNIST PARTY TEXTBOOK—
excerpt from, re regimentation of labor 155
publishing of, by Soviet Commission 97
statement by Earl Browder re 154
COMMUNIST POLITICAL ASSOCIATION— name of Communist Party
changed to „„„ 102, 103
218 UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
COMMUNIST, THE— Page
excerpt from —
re C. I. O 157
re postwar policy 98
CONNELLY, DOROTHY— listed as endorser of Pro-War Press Conference,
People's Daily World 139
CONNELLY, MARC—
activities of, in Hollywood Writers' Mobilization 130
announcement by, as co-chairman, of Writers' Congress 115
member of Writers' Congress advisory committee 116
testimony of, re Hollywood Writers' Mobilization 131
CONNELLY, PHILIP M.—
member of Los Angeles County Council, Political Action Committee 148
member of Provisional Committee, People's Educational Center 137
other activities of 137
sponsor of Citizens Committee for Defense of Mexican-American Youth 182
testimony of, re zoot-suit disturbances 184
CONNOLLY, THOMAS E.—
as partner of Hans Wilhelm Rohl , 7
consummated contract for Army installations near Pearl Harbor IS
CONROY, JACK—
announcement by, re nomination of officers of League of American Writers 125
listed among American writers on staff of International Union of Revolutionary
Writers 119
member of National Council of League of American Writers 126
signers of call for American Writers' Congress 121
CONTRERAS, GEORGE—
testimony of —
re Committee for Defense of Mexican-American Youth 184
re Mexican gangs 162
re Wilcox Building 183
re zoot-suiters 188
CONWAY, JERRY — member of Los Angeles County Council, Political Action
Committee 148
COOK, O. W. E. — member of Provisional Committee, People's Educational
Center 137
CORONA, BERT — sponsor of Citizens Committee for Defense of Mexican-
American Youth 182
CORONA, FRANK — endorser of Pro-War Press Conference, People's Daily
World 139
COSTELLO, JOHN— defeat of, accomplished by C. I. O. Political Action Com-
mittee 159
COVETTE, THOMAS L.— assisted committee in special work 6
COWLEY, MALCOLM—
member of executive committee of League of American Writers 126
signer of call for first American Writers' Congress 121
signer of call for third American Writers' Congress 127
CROUSE, E. J.— as owner of yacht Martin 11
CURRAN, JOSEPH— member of National Executive Board, C. I. O 148
D
DAHLBERG, EDWARD—
member of National Council of League of American Writers 126
signer of call for American Writers' Congress 121
DAILY WORKER — testimony of John Howard Lawson re 133
DALRYMPLE, SHERMAN— appointed assistant to Sidney Hillman 148
DAUGHERTY, JAMES—
endorser of Pro-War Press Conference, People's Daily World 139
other activities of 140
DAVIS, FRANK C—
member of Provisional Committee, Peoples Educational Center 137
other activities of 137
DAWSON, ERNEST—
endorser of Pro-War Press Conference, People's Daily World 139
other activities of 140
UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA 219
Page
DAT, JOHN WARREN — sponsor of Citizens Committee for Defense of Mexican-
American Youth 195
DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE— excerpt from 69
DEMOCRACY—
Declaration of Independence re 69
definition of 69, 70
DEMOCRATIC CENTRALISM — as function of Communist organizations 90
De WITT, JOHN L. — evacuation of Japanese ordered by 45
DICKEY, RANDAL F. — appointed member of committee 5
DILLON, GEORGE — signer of call for third American Writers' Congress 127
DILWORTH, NELSON S. — appointed member of committee 5
DOS PASSOS, JOHN—
honorary Presidium of Workers' Cultural Federation 119
listed among American writers on staff of International Union of Revolutionary
Writers 119
signer of call for American Writers' Congress 121
DOZIER, WILLIAM — member of Writers' Congress advisory committee 116
DRAPER, MURIEL — signer of call for third American Writers' Congress 127
DREISER, THEODORE—
endorser of Pro-War Press Conference, People's Daily World 139
honorary Presidium of Workers' Cultural Federation 119
listed among American writers on staff of International Union of Revolutionary
Writers 119
other activities of 141
signer of call for American Writers' Congress 121
DUNHAM, HARRISON M.— attorney employed by Arthur Bell 33
DUNNE, PHILIP — signer of call for third American Writers' Congress 127
DUNNE, WILLIAM F. — excerpt from The Great San Francisco General Strike,
by 156
E
EASTMAN, MAX—
excerpt from writings of, re Marxism 74, 76, 79
statement of, re socialist state 84
ECKERT, KENNETH — endorser of Pro-War Press Conference, People's Daily
World 139
EHRLICH, LEONARD — member of National Council of League of American
Writers 126
EIDSATH, REV. MARTIN S.— member of Provisional Committee, Peoples'
Educational Center 137
ELLIS, FRED—
American delegate to International Union of Revolutionary Writers 119
listed among American writers on staff of International Union of Revolutionary
Writers 119
EMSPAK, JULIUS— member of National Executive Board, C. I. O 147
ENDORE, GUY—
signer of call for first American Writers' Congress 121
signer of call for third American Writers' Congress 127
ENGELS, FRIEDRICK—
as friend of Karl Marx 69
co-author of Communist Manifesto 80
ERICSON, CARL R.— testimony of, re Pachucos 167, 168
F
FAGELSON, PEARL—
endorser of Pro-War Press Conference, People's Daily World 139
other activities of 141
FAIRCHILD, HENRY PRATT— signer of call for Third American Writers'
Congress 127
FALKOWSKI, ED — listed among American writers on staff of International
Union of Revolutionary Writers 119
FARAGOH, FRANCIS EDWARDS—
member of Writers' Congress advisory committee 116
other activities of 117
signer of call for third American Writers' Congress 127
220 UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
FARRELL, JAMES T.— Page
member of National Council of League of American Writers 126
signer of call for American Writers' Congress 121
singing of International suggested by 125
FASCISM — objectives of, unchanged 6
FASCIST ORGANIZATIONS— committee to investigate activities of 5
FEARING, FRANKLIN — member of Writers' Congress advisory committee 116
FEARING, KENNETH—
member of National Council of League of American Writers 126
signer of call for First American Writers' Congress 121
signer of call for Third American Writers' Congress 127
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION—
activities in Mankind United 33
committee cooperated with 6
FICKE, ARTHUR D.— signer of call for Third American Writers' Congress 127
FIELD, BEN — signer of call for American Writers' Congress 121
FIERRO, JOSEPHINE— sponsor of Citizens Committee for Defense of Mexican-
American Youth 182
FINN, PAULINE LAUBER — member of Writers' Congress advisory committee.- 116
FIRST INTERNATIONAL—
Karl Marx, organizer of 82
short life of 82
FISCHER, MARJORIE— signer of call for Third American Writers' Congress.^ 127
FITZGERALD, ALBERT J.— appointed assistant to Sidney Hillman 148
FLANNERY, HARRY W —
author of Assignment to Berlin 15, 17
testimony of, re Werner Plack 15
FLAXER, ABRAHAM—
as president of State, County and Municipal Workers of America 157
member of National Executive Board, C. I. O 148
statement by, re Yorty Committee 158
FLORES, ANGEL — member of National Council of League of American Writers 126
FONTAINE, ROBERT— alias used by Arthur Bell 44
FOSBURGH, FRANCIS— member of Los Angeles County Council, Political
Action Committee 148
FOSTER, WILLIAM Z.—
activities of, as charter member of Communist Party 88
honorary Presidium of Workers' Cultural Federation 119
FOURIER, CHARLES— theories of, re profit-sharing 71
FRANK, WALDO—
absence of, at Third American Writers' Congress 127
dominant figure of Writers' Congress 122
excerpt by, re Values of Revolutionary Writer 123
member of executive committee of League of American Writers 126
signer of call for American Writers' Congress 121
FRANKLIN, PAUL—
listed as member of Writers' Congress advisory committee 116
other activities of 117
FREEMAN, JOSEPH—
except by, from Tradition of American Revolutionary Literature 122
listed among American writers on staff of International Union of Revolutionary
Writers 119
member of executive committee of League of American Writers 126
signer of call for First American Writers' Congress 121
signer of call for Third American Writers' Congress 127
FRENCH COMMUNE—
proclamation of 82
resolution re 82
FREUD, RALPH—
activities of, in Hollywood Writers' Mobilization 131
announcement by, as co-chairman of Writers' Congress 115
member of Writers' Congress advisory committee 116
FUCHS, DANIEL — signer of call for Third American Writers' Congress 127
UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA 221
FUSS, OSCAR— Page
member of Los Angeles County Council Political Action Committee 148
other activities of 193
sponsor of Citizens Committee for Defense of Mexican-American Youth 182
G
GALLAGHER, LEO—
endorser of Pro-War Press Conference, People's Daily World 139
other activities of 141, 193
sponsor of Citizens Committee for Defense of Mexican-American Youth 182
GANAHL, HERBERT— listed as sponsor of Citizens Committee for Defense of
Mexican-American Youth 182
GEORGE, HARRISON—
editor of People's Daily World 96
testimony of William Schneiderman re 96, 97
GERMAN FOREIGN OFFICE— connection of Werner Plack with 17
GERMAN NAZI BUND — committee to investigate activities of 5
GIBNEY, SHERIDAN — listed as member of Writers' Congress advisory com-
mittee 116
GILBERT, ED— endorser of Pro-War Press Conference, People's Daily World.. 139
GLASSFORD, R. B.— active Presidium, Workers' Cultural Federation 119
GOLD, BEN— member of National Executive Board, C. I. O 147
GOLD, MICHAEL—
active Presidium, Workers' Cultural Federation 119
American delegate to International Union of Revolutionary Writers 119
listed among American writers on staff of International Union of Revolutionary
Writers 119
member of executive committee of League of American Writers 126
signer of call for American Writers' Congress^ 121
GONZALES, JAIME — sponsor of Citizens Committee for Defense of Mexican-
American Youth 195
GOODBYE CHRIST — reprint of, from Literary Service 119
GORDEN, EUGENE — signer of call for American Writers' Congress 121
GORKI, MAXIM — honorary Presidium of Workers' Cultural Federation 119
GRADY, JOHN G. — member of Los Angeles County Council, Political Action
Committee 148
GRAFE, PAUL — consummated contract for Army installations near Pearl Har-
bor 18
GREAT SAN FRANCISCO GENERAL STRIKE, THE— excerpt from, re
Communist influence on strikes 156
GREGORY, HORACE—
listed among American writers on staff of International Union of Revolution-
ary Writers 119
member of National Council of League of American Writers 126
signer of call for American Writers' Congress 121
GROPPER, WILLIAM—
active Presidium, Workers' Cultural Federation 119
American delegate to International Union of Revolutionary Writers 119
GYSSLING, DR. GEORGE— as head of German Vice Consulate in Los Angeles 12
H
HALLGREN, MAURITZ — signer of call for third American Writers' Congress 127
HALLORAN, JOHN L— testimony of, re Pachucos 168-169
HAMMETT, DASHIELL— leadership in League of American Writers held by 128
HARMON, ROSE — sponsor of citizens committee for Defense of Mexican-
American youth 182
HARRINGTON, JAMES— as author of The Commonwealth of Oceana 71
HARRISON, CHARLES YALE— listed among American writers on staff of
International Union of Revolutionary Writers 119
HART, HENRY—
member of executive committee of League of American Writers 126
signer of call for first American Writers' Congress 121
signer of call for third American Writers' Congress 127
222 UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
Page
HARVEY, GEORGE— member of Los Angeles County Council, Political Action
Committee 148
HATHAWAY, CLARENCE—
signer of call for American Writers' Congress 121
statement by, re American Writers' Congress 122-123
HAWAIIAN CONSTRUCTORS—
awarded contract by United States 7
financing of Army installations contract with 27
granted exclusive contracts in Pacific area 28
request of Theodore Wyman, Jr., re 19
testimony of Ray Anderson, re _ 20-27
waste and inefficiency charged to 27
HAWKINS, AUGUSTUS—
endorser of Pro-War Press Conference, People's Daily World 139
sponsor of citizens committee for Defense of Mexican-American youth 195
HEGEL—
philosophy of, studied by Karl Marx 69
statements from writings of, re Marian Dialectic 75
HELLMANN, LILLIAN — signer of call for third American Writers' Congress 127
HENDERSON, DONALD— member of National Executive Board, C. I. O. __ 147
HERBST, JOSEPHINE—
listed among American writers on staff of International Union of Revolutionary
Writers 119
member of executive committee of League of American Writers 126
signer of call for American Writers Congress 121
HERMANN, JOHN — listed among American writers on staff of International
Union of Revolutionary Writers 119
HERRICK, ROBERT—
member of National Council of League of American Writers 126
signer of call for American Writers' Congress 121
HEYWARD, DUBOSE— signer of call for third American Writers' Congress _ 127
HICKS, GRANVILLE—
member of executive committee of League of American Writers 126
signer of call for American Writers' Congress 121
HILLMAN, SIDNEY—
appointed head of C. I. O. Political Action Committee 148
Communist activities of 149
excerpt from The Communist re 149
HOLJER, HARRY— member of Provisional Committee, People's Educational
Center 137
HOLLYWOOD WRITERS MOBILIZATION—
list of guilds participating in 117-131
organization of 130
testimony of Marc Connelly re 131
Writers Congress under auspices of 115
HOLMES, EUGENE— signer of call for third American Writers' Congress __ 127
HOOVER, J. EDGAR— statement by, re Communism 67, 136
HORRALL, C. B.— testimony of, re Sinarquista, Pachuco crimes 160, 162
HOURIHAN, MARTIN—
endorser of Pro-War Press Conference, People's Daily World 139
sponsor of citizens committee for Defense of Mexican-American youth 195
HOUSE MILITARY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE— charge mismanagement of
construction work in Hawaii 27
HOWARD, SIDNEY — member of National Council of League of American
Writers 126
HUBERT, FLOYE ADAMS— marriage of, to Hans Wilhelm Rohl 7
HUGHES, JOHN B. — member of Writers' Congress advisory committee 116
HUGHES, LANGSTON—
Goodbye Christ written by 119
listed among American writers on staff of International Union of Revolution-
ary Writers 119
Revolution written by 124
signer of call for American Writers' Congress 121
UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA 223
I
Page
I HAVE SEEN BLACK HANDS— reprint of poem 125
INDEPENDENT PUBLICISTS— listed as participating in Hollywood Writ-
ers Mobilization 117
INGRAM, LE ROY R. — testimony of, re Communist agitation among Negroes _ 208
INTELLIGENCE UNITS, ARMED FORCES— committee cooperated with __ 6
INTERNATIONAL — singing of, at American Writers Congress 125
INTERNATIONAL UNION OF REVOLUTIONARY WRITERS—
American writers serving on staff of 119, 120
conference of, held at Kharkov, Russia 119
instructions to American delegates to 118
list of American delegates to 119
INTERNATIONAL WORKERS OF THE WORLD— aid given to, by Com-
munist Party 87
ISSEI—
defiance shown, on relocation order 52
definition of 48
domination over Nisei believed broken 64
most Japanese organizations in California under domination of 62
names of, listed in Rafu Shimpo 62
IVENS, JORIS—
member of Writers' Congress advisory committee 116
other activities of 117
J
JACKSON, J. J.— alias used by Arthur Bell 33, 34
JAPANESE—
agricultural interests in California 62-63
attack on Hawaii by 27
characteristics of race 49
demands of restitutions by 63, 64
employed on army projects 20
findings of committee re 64-65
influence of Communist policy on 59-61
interests of, in Hawaiian Islands 21
language spoken at relocation centers 48
request continuation of relocation centers 50
restrictions re, as result of committees investigations 64, 65
riot in Tulelake Relocation Center 52, 53
sample menus of food served to, in relocation centers 47
segregated as to loyalties in Rafu Shimpo 62
subversive activities of investigated 45, 50
JAPANESE-AMERICAN CITIZENS LEAGUE—
adopt five-point program 63
all members of not loyal 62
conference of, held 63
work of members of 53
JAPANESE LANGUAGE SCHOOLS— founded in California 50
JAPANESE RELOCATION CENTERS—
continuation of, requested by Japanese 50
ordered closed 50
sample menus of food served in 47
JEFFERSON, THOMAS— statement of, re Capitalism 70
JENNINGS, TALBOT — member of Writers' Congress advisory committee 116
JEROME, V. J. — alias Isaac Romaine used by 136
Communist activities of 136
JEVEG, GEORGE — attorney in Sleepy Lagoon Murder Case 175
JEWS — race-antagonisms of, Nazi aim 6
JOHNSON, GROVER— endorser of Pro-War Press Conference, People's Daily
World 139
JOHNS, ORRICK—
member of National Council of League of American Writers 126
signer of call for American Writers' Congress 121
224 UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
JOINT FACT-FINDING COMMITTEE ON UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES—
activities of 5
excerpt from The People's Daily World advocating discontinuance of 159
findings re Communism 209-210
instructions to 5
restrictions placed on Japanese as result of investigation of 64—65
JOSEPH, MATTHEW — member of executive committee of League of American
Writers 126
JURICH, JOSEPH F.— member of National Executive Board, C. I. O 147
K
KALAR, JOSEPH — listed among American writers on staff of International
Union of Revolutionary Writers 119
KALLET, ARTHUR— signer of call for American Writers' Congress 121
KEBEI—
defiance shown, on relocation order 52
definition of 48
names of, listed in Rafu Shimpo
KELLEMS, JESSE RANDOLPH— appointed member of committee 5
KENT, WILLIAM E.— affidavit of, re Werner Plack 13
KIBRE, JEFF — member of Los Angeles County Council, Political Action Com-
mittee 148
KIDO, SABURO — statement of, re loyalty of Japanese 62
KIMBROUGH, JESS— signer of call for third American Writers' Congress 127
KING, H. J. — affidavit of, re construction in Hawaii 28
KING, PETE— endorser of Pro-War Press Conference, People's Daily World— 139
KIRSTEIN, LINCOLN— signer of call for American Writers' Congress 121
KLINE, HERBERT— signer of call for American Writers' Congress 121
KOBER, ARTHUR— signer of call for third American Writers' Congress 127
KOCH, HOWARD — member of Writers' Congress advisory committee 116
other activities of 117
KODOISM— definition of 48
KREYMBORG, ALFRED—
member of executive committee of League of American Writers 126
signer of call for third American Writers' Congress 127
KRUPSKAYA, N. — honorary Presidium of Workers' Cultural Federation 119
KUHLMAN, GRISELD A— member of Los Angeles County Council, Political
Action Committee 148
KUNITZ, JOSHUA—
American delegate to International Union of Revolutionary Writers 119
listed among American writers on staff of International Union of Revolutionary
Writers 119
member of National Council of League of American Writers 126
signer of call for first American Writers' Congress 121
signer of call for third American Writers' Congress 127
L
LAFERTE, ELIAS—
activities of, as president of Communist Party of Chile 103, 104
address by, re Communism 105-115
editorial note prefacing printed speech by 104
excerpt from address by 211
LA MAR, R. G. — testimony of, re Communist agitation of Negro population 208
LAMSON, DAVID — signer of call for third American Writers' Congress 127
LANIUS, CHARLES— re, testimony of Harry W. Flannery 16
LASKY, JESSE JR.— signer of call for third American Writers' Congress 127
LAWSON, ELIZABETH — as key person in Communist school system 136
LAWSON, JOHN HOWARD—
attendance of, at fourth American Writers' Congress 128
dominant figure in Hollywood Writers' Mobilization 130
dominant figure of Writers' Congress 122
endorser of Pro-War Press Conference, People's Daily World 139
member of Provisional Committee, People's Educational Center 137
UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA - 225
LAWSON, JOHN HOWARD— Continued Page
member of Writers' Congress advisory committee 116
other activities of 118
member of executive committee of League of American Writers 126
other activities of 196
signer of call for first American Writers' Congress 121
signer of call for third American Writers' Congress 127
sponsor of Citizens Committee for Defense of Mexican-American Youth 195
testimony of —
re American Writers' Congress 129
re Communist Party activities 130
re Daily Worker 133
re Sun Rises in the West 132
LAYMAN, MEREDITH JOHN— testimony of, re Pachucos 171-172
LEAGUE OF AMERICAN WRITERS—
formation of 120
list of executive committee and National Council of 126
Pacific Coast branch of, established 128
proceedings leading to formation of 120-125
report of investigation by Attorney General Francis Biddle of 134
LEE, CANADA — sponsor of Citizens Committee for Defense of Mexican-
American Youth 195
LEECH, JOHN—
statement of, re John Howard Lawson 118
testimony of re Joseph W. Aidlin 139
LENIN, NIKOLAI—
follower of Marxism 83
statement of, re dictatorship of proletariat 84
views of religion of 73
LENISM — applied to Marxian theories 83
LERNER, TILLIE—
member of National Council of League of American Writers 126
signer of call for American Writers' Congress 121
LE SEUER, MERIDEL—
member of National Council of League of American Writers 126
signer of call for American Writers' Congress 121
LEVIN, MEYER — signer of call for third American Writers' Congress 127
LEVY, LOUIS — member of Provisional Committee, People's Educational Center 137
LEVY, MELVIN P.—
listed among American writers on staff of International Union of Revolutionary
Writers 119
member of Writers' Congress advisory committee 1 116
signer of call for American Writers' Congress 121
LEWIS, FULTON, JR. — charges waste and inefficiency on Rohl products 31
LEWIS, JOHN L— excerpts from The Communist re 149, 150
LIBERALISM—
as doctrine of Capitalism 6,9
feudalism gives way to 69
LILYENFELDT, GEORGE VON— testimony of Harry W. Flannery re 17
LITERARY SERVICE — reprint of poem appearing in 119
LI, T. H. — active Presidium. Workers' Cultural Federation 119
LO HSUN — honorary Presidium of Workers' Cultural Federation 119
LONGSTREET, STEPHEN — member of Writers' Congress advisory committee 116
LONGUEIL, ALFRED E. — members of Writers' Congress advisory committee 116
LOS ANGELES UNITARIAN CHURCH— used as Communist meeting place__ 143
LOVETT, ROBERT MORSS—
member of National Council of League of American Writers 126
signer of call for American Writers' Congress 121
LOZOWICK, LOUIS—
listed among American writers on staff of International Union of Revolutionary
Writers 119
signer of call for American Writers' Congress 121
LUCKNER, COUNT FELIX VON— testimony of Harry W. Flannery 16
15— L-4113
226 UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
LUMPKIN, GRACE— Page
member of National Council of League of American Writers 126
signer of call for American Writers' Congress 121
LYND, HELEN MERRELL — signer of call for Third American Writers' Con-
gress 127
LYONS, EUGENE — quotation from The Red Decade, by 127
M
MacLEOD, NORMAN — listed among American writers on staff of International
Union of Revolutionary Writers 119
MAGIL, A. B.—
active Presidium, Workers Cultural Federation 119
American delegate to International Union of Revolutionary Writers 119
listed among American writers on staff of International Union of Revolutionary
Writers 1 119
MALTZ, ALBERT—
member of executive committee of League of American Writers 126
signer of call for Third American Writers' Congress 127
MANANA — editorial note from, preceding Elias Laferte's speech 104
MANKIND UNITED—
chief object of 39
enterprises of 43
fantasies of exposed 32
map making of critical areas, enterprise of 45
members of sincere 33
organization of, by Arthur Bell 32
used as title of book 39
MANOFF, ARNOLD — member of Provisional Committee, People's Educational
Center 137
MANRIQUE, C. BLAS— remarks by, introducing Elias Laferte 104-105
MANZANAR—
description of relocation center at_^. 45, 46
selected as relocation center for Japanese 45
MANZANAR FREE PRESS— excerpt from, re Manzanar disturbance 54
MANZANAR RELOCATION CENTER—
discription of 45. 46
disturbance in, described 53-55
sample menus served to internees of 47
MARCUS, SAMUEL — denies Communist Party affiliation 6
MARMOR, K. — active Presidium, Workers Cultural Federation 119
MARTENS, C. A. K: — emissary of Russia in forming of Communist Party in
United States 87
MARTIN, FRANK, JR.— attorney representing Hans W. Rohl 18
MARTY, JOE — endorser of Pro-War Press Conference, People's Daily World— 139
MARX, KARL—
appraisal of character of, by Michael Bakunin 68
co-author of Communist Manifesto 80
early life of 68
education of 69
excerpt from writings of, re history 77
interest in Hegelian philosophy 69, 75
opposition to Utopian philosophies cited 71
statement of —
re class struggle 79
re discovery of gold in California .=. 146
supported by Friedrich Engels 69
views on religion of 72, 73
MARXIAN DIALETIC—
definition of 75
testimony of William Schneiderman re 100
MARXISM—
basic principles of 146
committee findings, re 66
definition of 71
UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA ZZ{
MARXISM — Continued Page
Max Eastman, re 74
statement of J. Edgar Hoover re 67, 136
statement of Lenin, re 73-74
theories of 71, 72
MATTHIESSEX, F. O.—
background of 196
sponsor of Citizens Committee for Defense of Mexican-American Youth 195
McCALL, MARY C, JR. — member of Writers' Congress advisory committee 116
Mccormick, mrs. la lue—
endorser of Pro-War Press Conference, People's Daily World 139
other activities of 141
speech by, cited in testimony of Clyde Shoemaker 176-177
testimony of, re Committee for Defense of Mexican-American Youth 184
McDOXALD, DAVID J.— appointed assistant to Sidney Hillman 148
McGOWAN, KENNETH — member of Writers' Congress advisory committee 116
McGRATH, FRANK— member of National Executive Board, C. I. O 148
McHENRY, DEAN E. — member of Provisional Committee, People's Educational
Center 137
McKENNEY. RUTH — signer of call for third American Writers' Congress 127
MCKNIGHT, RUSSELL L.— member of Provisional Committee, People's Educa-
tional Center : 137
McMillan, lester—
endorser of Pro-War Press Conference, People's Daily World 139
letter from, endorsing Pro-War Conference 142
McWILLIAMS, CAREY—
affiliations of 193
endorser of Pro- War Press Conference, People's Daily World 139
member of Provisional Committee, People's Educational Center 137
other activities of 137
Pacific Coast branch of League of American Writers, headed by 128
signer of call for third American Writers' Congress 127
sponsor of Citizens Committee for Defense of Mexican-American Youth 183
statement of, re Peoples Daily World 141
testimony of, re racial intermarriage 194—195
MEAD, JANE — member of Writers' Congress advisory committee 116
MERCHANT ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS AND SUPPLY COMPANY—
engaged in Army contracts vicinity of Pearl Harbor 20
MERLIN, MILTON — member of Writers' Congress advisory committee 116
MERRILL, LEWIS— member of National Executive Board, C. I. O 148
MERRITT, RALPH P.— as director of Manzanar 54
MEYERS, COURT— member of Los Angeles County Council, Political Action
Committee 148
MILITARY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE—
findings of, re Rohl case 31
investigator assigned to Rohl case 31
MINTON. BRUCE — signer of call for third American Writers' Congress 127
MISCHEL, JOSEPH — member of Writers' Congress advisorv committee 116
MOORE, JACK— testimony of, re Comintern 153
MOORE, SAM — member of Writers' Congress advisorv committee 116
MORE, SIR THOMAS— as author of Utopia 70
MORRIS, WILLIAM, JR. — member of Writers' Congress advisorv committee__ 116
MUMFORD. LEWIS—
member of National Council of League of American Writers 126
signer of call for American Writers' Congress 121
MURRAY, PHILIP — Sidney Hillman appointed head of C. I. O. Political Action
Committee by I |S
MUSTER, MORRIS— member of National Executive Board, C. I. O 117
MYER, DILLON — order of. to close Japanese relocation centers 50
NADIR, MOISHE—
member of National Council of League of American Writers 126
statement by, re proletarian writer ._ 125
228 UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
NATIONAL DEFENSE PROGRAM— Page
Committee to investigate interference with 5
interference with, in California 5
NATIVE SONS OF GOLDEN WEST — opposing Tulelake as center for disloyal
Japanese 58
NAZISM — objectives of, unchanged 6
NEIL, STEWART— sponsor of Citizens Committee for Defense of Mexican-
American Youth 183
NELSON, ELEANOR— member of National Executive Board, C. I. O 147
NEVADA CONSOLIDATED COPPER MINING COMPANY— Hans Wilhelm
Rohl employed by 7
NEW CHRISTIANITY— principles of brotherhood of 71
NEWHOUSE, EDWARD— signer of call for American Writers' Congress 121
NEW YORK COMMUNIST— propaganda campaign of Communist Party
launched in 87
NICHOLS, DUDLEY—
attendance of. at fourth American Writers' Congress 128
member of Writers' Congress advisory committee 116
other activities of 117
NIGEY, WALTER— affidavit of Samuel N. Ebb re 44
NISEI—
activities of, testimony of Tanaka Togo 50, 51
definition of 48
domination of by Issei believed broken 64
names of, listed in Rafu Shimpo 62
subversive activities of, against Government of United States 52
NORTH, JOSEPH— signer of call for American Writers' Congress 121
NUNN, GUY — sponsor of Citizens Committee for Defense of Mexican-American
Youth 183
O
OAKES, GRANT W.— member of National Executive Board, C. I. O 147
OBOLER, ARCH — member of Writers' Congress advisory committee 116
O'CONNOR, HARVEY — signer of call for third American Writers' Congress 127
O'CONNOR, J. F. T —
granted citizenship to Hans W. Rohl 29
no irregularities in records of 29
ODETS, CLIFFORD — member of National Council of League of American
Writers 126
OLGIN, MOUSSAYE J.—
member of National Council of League of American Writers 126
report by, re Soviet Writers 122
signer of call for American Writers' Congress 121
OLIVERAS, JOSE— founding of Sinarquista Movement by 197
OLIVER, WILLIAM—
member of Writers' Congress advisory committee 116
other activities of 117
OPATOSHU, JOSEPH— member of National Council of League of American
Writers 126
ORNITZ, SAMUEL — signer of call for American Writers' Congress 121
OTTO, RICHARD — endorser of Pro-War Press Conference, People's Daily
World 139
OWEN, ROBERT— as advocate of Utopian philosophy 71
P
PACHUCOS—
also referred to as Zoot-Suiters 160
testimony of —
Carl R. Ericson, re 167-168
John J. Halloran re 168-169
Meredith John Layman re 171
Police Chief C. B. Horrall re riots of 160-162
Vance Brasher re 169
UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA 229
PAGE, MYRA— Page
listed among American writers on staff of International Union of Revolutionary
Writers 119
signer of call for American Writers' Congress 121
PANDORA—
testimony re fire insurance on 10
yacht destroyed by fire 8
PARKER, DOROTHY — signer of call for third American Writers' Congress 127
PATTERSON, JAMES T.— member of Los Angeles County Council, Political
Action Committee 148
PEACE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION— excerpt from report of re Communist
Party 91-93
PEARL HARBOR—
aircraft warning system of, not completed on December 7, 1941 27
army installations near, in charge of Theodore Wyman, Jr 18
contract awarded for installations near 7
effect of attack at, on Communist activities 130
greatest successes in Communist Party achieved since attack on 147
PEOPLE'S DAILY WORLD—
excerpts from —
re endorsement of Pro-War Conference by Assemblyman McMillan 142
re Fact-Finding Committee 159
re need of 138
re Sinarquista Movement 204-206
re Tulelake riot 60-61
statement of —
Carey McWilliams re 141
Parley Parker Christensen re 140
testimony of William Schneiderman re 93-97
PEOPLE'S EDUCATIONAL CENTER—
invitation of, to organizations 136
propaganda school of Comunist Party 136
PERELMAN, S. J. — signer of call for third American Writers' Congress 127
PERRY, PETTIS—
endorser of Pro-War Press Conference, People's Daily World 139
other activities of 142
PETERS, PAUL—
member of National Council of League of American Writers 126
signer of call for American Writers' Congress 121
PINE, W. BRUCE—
assisted committee in investigations 6
testimony of, re Werner Plack 14
PITMAN, JOHN — excerpt from writings of, re Japanese release from relocation
centers 61
PITTS, REBECCA— member of National Council of League of American Writers 126
PLACK, WERNER—
affidavit of William E. Kent, re 13
background of 12
nationality of, testimony re 13
testimony of —
Harry W. Flannery, re VS
Bruce Pine, re 14
Hans Rohl, re 12
POLLARD, WALTER— member of Los Angeles County Council, Political Action
Committee 148
POMERANCE, M. WILLIAM— member of Provisional Committee, People's
Educational Center 137
PORTER, ALLEN — signer of call for American Writers' Congress 121
POSNER, JEROME K —
member of Los Angeles County Council, Political Action Committee 148
other activities of 193, 196, 197
sponsor of Citizens Committee for Defense of Mexican-American Youth 182
POSTON RELOCATION CENTER— laxity in control of internees of 58-59
230 UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
POTAMKIN, HARRY ALLEN— Page
active Presidium, Workers Cultural Federation 119
American delegate to International Union of Revolutionary Writers 119
listed among American writers on staff of International Union of Revolutionary
Writers 119
PREECE, HAROLD — signer of call for American Writers' Congress 121
PRESS — commendation of 6
PROBLEMS OF LENINISM — excerpts from, re working class 155
PROCTOR, LYLE — member of Los Angeles County Council, Political Action
Committee 148
PROKOSCH, FREDERICK— signer of call for third American Writers' Congress 127
PROLETARIAT—
Communist Manifesto regarded as bible of 80
confusion of, following change in directives from Russia 128
definition of 66
statement of — ,
Karl Marx re struggles of 80
Lenin re dictatorship of 84
Leon Trotsky re restrictions on 84-85
PRO-WAR PRESS CONFERENCE—
call for, issued by People's Daily World 138
letter from Assemblyman Lester McMillan endorsing 142
list of endorsers of 139
PRUETTE, LORINE— signer of call for third American Writers' Congress 127
PUTNAM, SAMUEL— signer of call for third American Writers' Congress 127
Q
QUILL, MICHAEL J.—
member of National Executive Board, C. I. O 148
other activities of 197
sponsor of Citizens Committee for Defense of Mexican-American Youth 195
QUINN, JOHN R— letter from Jack Tenney to, re Unitarian Church of Los
Angeles 143
R
RADEK, KARL — cablegram from, re American Writers' Congress 123
RADIO WRITERS GUILD— listed as participating in Hollywood Writers
Mobilization 117
RAFO SHIMPO—
policies of, declared subversive 62
printing of directory of, in Japan 62
RAMONA —
disagreement of ownership of 10
inspection of, by immigration officers 8
replacement of Pandora by 8
RAVIN, DAVID — attorney in Sleepy Lagoon Murder Case 175
RED-BAITING AND RED-BAITERS—
excerpt from 1943 Report, re 66
statement of J. Edgar Hoover, as 67
RED DECADE, THE— quotation from, re Waldo Frank 127
REED, JOHN — activities of, in early days of Communist Party 86, 87
REED, J. F.—
testimony of —
re Al Waxman 189
re zoot-suit riots 162
RELIGION—
Communist views of 72-74
excerpts from, by Lenin 73
quotation by Karl Marx re 72, 73
RENN, LUDWIG— honorary Presidium of Workers' Cultural Federation 119
REPUBLIC — writing of, first Utopian thinking 70
REVOLUTION— reprint of poem, entitled 124
REYNOLDS, H. R. — member of Writers' Congress advisory committee 116
RHEINISCHE, ZEITUNG— Karl Marx, as editor of 69
UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA 231
Page
RIESS, CURT — excerpt from Total Espionage by 203
RIVER, W. L. — signer of call for third American Writers' Congress 127
RIVKIN, ALLEN — member of Writers' Congress advisory committee 116
other activities of 117
ROBIN, ED—
domination by, at Pro-War Press Conference, People's Daily World 142
signer of call for Pro-War Press Conference, People's Daily World 139
ROBINSON, REID — member of National Executive Board, C. I. O. 148
ROEDER, RALPH — signer of call for third American Writers' Congress 127
ROGERS, MRS. WILL, JR. — sponsor of citizens committee for Defense of
Mexican-American youth 183
ROHL-CONNOLLY COMPANY—
contract re San Pedro Breakwater 11
engaged in Army construction projects 8, 18
interest in, disposed of by Hans W. Rohl 31
organization of 6, 7
testimony re stock of 9
ROHL, HANS W.—
activities of, subject of broadcast series by Fulton Lewis, Jr. 31
affidavit of H. J. King, re 28
aggregate value of installations by 31
as lavish spender 11, 12
as partner of Thomas E. Connolly 7
awarded Alcan Project contract in Alaska 31
awarded Canol Project contract in Canada 31
citizenship status of 7, 8, 19, 20, 30
early history of 7
engaged in Army construction work near Pearl Harbor 18
engaged in government contracts as alien 19
false statements in income tax returns of 9
financial standing of 7
friendship of, with Theodore Wyman, Jr. 11
immigration records omit name of 8
subject of Third Reich 19
summary of committee findings re 31, 32
testimony of, concerning —
fire insurance on Pandora 10
military installations near Pearl Harbor 19
ownership of yachts 10
stock in Rohl-Connolly Company 9
Werner Plack 12
testimony of Ray Anderson re 22, 25
various yachts purchased by 8
ROHL, MRS. FLOYE—
testimony of, concerning —
fire insurance on Pandora 10
ownership of yachts 10
stock in Rohl-Connolly Company o
ROLLINS, WILLIAM, JR.—
member of National Council of League of American Writers 126
signer of call for American Writers' Congress 121
ROMAINE, PAUL — signer of call for American Writers' Congress ._ 121
ROME, HAROLD J. — signer of call for third American Writers' Congress— ._ 127
ROSENTHAL, WILLIAM— endorser of Pro-War Press Conference, People's
Daily World 130
ROSSEN, ROBERT—
activities of, in Hollywood Writers Mobilization 130
chairman of Hollywood Writers Mobilization 117
member of Writers' Congress advisory committee ;_ 110
RUKEYSER, MURIEL — signer of call for third American Writers' Congress— 127
RUSSELL, REV. CLAYTON—
endorser of Pro-War Press Conference, People's Daily World 139
other activities of 142
sponsor of Citizens Committee for Defense of Mexican-American Youth 195
232 UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
RYAN, RUTH S.— Page
member of Provisional Committee, People's Educational Center 137
other activities of 137
S
SAINT-SIMON — principles of brotherhood of 71
SAKAMAKI, DR. SHUNZO— statement of, re Shintoism 49
SANBURG, CARL — member of Writers' Congress advisory committee 116
SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE— excerpts from re Tulelake and Manzanar
disturbances 52, 53
SARGENT, JOHN — denies Communist Party affiliation 6
SATURDAY EVENING POST— excerpt from, re C. I. O 152
SCHARY, DORE — member of Writers' Congress advisory committee 116
SCHMIT, JUDY— activities of, re People's Daily World 143
SCHNEIDER, ISIDOR—
member of executive committee of League of American Writers 126
signer of call for American Writers' Congress 121
SCHNEIDERMAN, WILLIAM—
testimony of, concerning — ■
Marxian dialectic 100-102
People's Daily World 93-97
SCHOFIELD, LEMUEL B.— letter by, re granting of citizenship to Hans W.
Rohl 30
SCHULTZ, CLYDE L.— testimony of, re Al Waxman 191-192
SCHULTZ, PHILLIP— attorney in Sleepy Lagoon Murder Case 175
SCHWARTZ, ARTHUR— member of Writers* Congress advisory committee 116
SCHWARTZ, ZACHARY— member of Writers' Congress advisory committee™ 116
SCREEN CARTOONISTS GUILD— listed as participating in Hollywood Writ-
ers Mobilization 117
SCREEN PUBLICISTS GUILD— listed as participating in Hollywood Writers
Mobilization 117
SCREEN READERS GUILD— listed as participating in Hollywood Writers
Mobilization 117
SCREEN WRITERS GUILD— listed as participating in Hollywood Writers
Mobilization 117
SCUDDER, VIDA D— signer of call for third American Writers' Congress 127
SEAVER, EDWIN—
member of executive committee of League of American Writers 126
quotation by, re Proletarian Novel 123
signer of call for first American Writers' Congress 121
signer of call for third American Writers' Congress 127
SECOND INTERNATIONAL- -
creation of '. 83
Socialist party of United States affiliated with 83
SELLY, JOSEPH— member of National Executive Board, C. I. O 147
SHAFER, J.— active Presidium, Workers' Cultural Federation 119
SHAFRAN, EVA—
member of Provisional Committee, People's Educational Center 137
other activities of 138
SHAPIRO, AARON — member of Los Angeles County Council, Political Action
Committee 148
SHAPIRO, CHAIM — endorser of Pro-War Press Conference, People's Daily
World 139
SHAW, IRWIN — signer of call for third American Writers' Congress 127
SHEEAN, VINCENT — signer of call for third American Writers' Congress 127
SHERMAN, VINCENT— endorser of Pro-War Press Conference, People's Daily
World 139
SHIBLEY, GEORGE — attorney in Sleepy Lagoon Murder Case 175
SHINTOISM— definition of 48
SHOEMAKER, CLYDE — testimony of, re Sleepy Lagoon Murder Case 175-182
SHORE, VIOLA BROTHERS— signer of call for third American Writers'
Congress 127
SIFTON, CLAIRE — signer of call for American Writers' Congress 121
SIFTON, PAUL — signer of call for American Writers' Congress 121
UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA 233
SILVER, MAX— Page
endorser of Pro-War Press Conference, People's Daily World 139
other activities of 142
SINARQUISTA MOVEMENT—
activities of, in southern California 160
excerpts from People's Daily World re 205, 206
excerpt from Total Espionage re 203
Martin Cabrera testimony re 205-207
need for creation of, testimony of Pedro Villasenor 202-203
not considered subversive 208
organization and history of 197
Pedro B. Villasenor testimony re 198-204
Police Chief C. B. Horrall testimony re 160-162
SINCLAIR, UPTON—
honorary Presidium of Workers' Cultural Federation ! 119
listed among American writers on staff of International Union of Revolutionary
Writers 119
signer of call for third American Writers' Congress 127
SINGH, R. LAL—
activities of 197
sponsor of Citizens Committee for Defense of Mexican-American Youth 195
SKLAR, GEORGE—
member of National Council of League of American Writers 126
signer of call for American Writers' Congress 121
SLADE, ALBEE—
member of Provisional Committee, People's Educational Center 137
other activities of 138
sponsor of Citizens Committee for Defense of Mexican-American Youth 195
SLEEPY LAGOON MURDER CASE—
history of 174
list of attorneys appearing in 175
used bv Communist Party to feed racial agitation 195
SLESSINGER, TESS— signer of call for third American Writers' Congress 127
SMEDLEY, AGNES—
listed among American writers on staff of International Union of Revolutionary
Writers 119
member of National Council of League of American Writers 126
SMITH, FERDINAND—
member of National Executive Board, C. I. O 148
sponsor of Citizens Committee for Defense of Mexican-American Youth 195
SOCIALIST PARTY—
affiliation of Second International 83
encouragement given by, to Communist Party formation 87
SONG WRITERS PROTECTIVE ASSOCIATION— participating in Holly-
wood Writers Mobilization 117
SORRELL, HERB—
endorser of Pro-War Press Conference, People's Daily World 139
other activities of 142
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA TELEPHONE COMPANY— records of, investi-
gated 19
SOVIET COMMISSION— publication of textbook by 97
SPECTOR, HERMAN — listed among American writers on staff of International
Union of Revolutionary Writers 119
SPIVAK, JOHN L. — signer of call for American Writers' Congress 121
SPROUL, ROBERT G. — member of Writers' Congress advisory committee 116
STALIN, JOSEF—
excerpts from writings of —
Foundations of Leninism, re England and America 99
Problem of Leninism re proletariat 155
statement of, re Communist ethics 74
STATE, COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL WORKERS OF AMERICA— establish-
ment of Communists in State Relief Administration by 157
STATE RELIEF ADMINISTRATION — Communist workers in 157
16— L-4113
234 UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
Page
STEFFENS, LINCOLN— member of National Council of League of American
Writers 126
STEVENSON, PHILIP—
signer of call for first American Writers' Congress 121
signer of call for third American Writers' Congress 127
STEWART, DONALD OGDEN—
activities of, in League of American Writers 128
signer of call for third American Writers' Congress 127
STONE, IRVING — signer of call for third American Writers' Congress 127
STOUT, REX— member of Writers' Congress advisory committee 116
STOWE, LELAND — signer of call for third American Writers' Congress 127
T
TAGGARD, GENEVIEVE—
member of executive committee of League of American Writers 126
signer of call for American Writers' Congress 121
signer of call for third American Writers' Congress 127
TANAKA, TOGO — testimony of, re Nisei activities 50, 51
TAYAMA, FRED—
attack of by disloyal Japanese 54
central figure in Manzanar disturbance . 53
severance of Japanese citizenship of 53
TEHERAN CONFERENCE— attitude of Communists re 102
TENNEY, JACK B.—
appointed member of committee 5
conference with Attorney General Biddle re Rohl case 30
elected chairman of committee 5
letter from, re Los Angeles Unitarian Church 144-145
THIMMES, JAMES — member of Los Angeles County Council, Political Action
Committee 148
THIRD INTERNATIONAL—
creation of 83, 85
known as Comintern 83, 85
THOMAS, R. J.— appointed assistant to Sidney Hillman 148
THURBER, JAMES— signer of call for third American Writers' Congress 127
TINKER, GENERAL— testimony of Ray Anderson re 22
TOLEDANO, VINCENTO LOMBARDO— head of Confederation of Latin-
American Workers 104
TOMAS— honorary Presidium of Workers' Cultural Federation 119
TOTAL ESPIONAGE— excerpt from, re Sinarquistas 203
TRACHTENBERG, ALEXANDER—
active Presidium, Workers' Cultural Federation 119
member of executive committee of League of American Writers 126
regarded as leader of Agit-prop 128
signer of call for American Writers' Congress 121
TROTSKY, LEON— statement of, re Soviet state 84-85
TROTTI, LAMAR — member of Writers' Congress advisory committee 116
TULELAKE RELOCATION CENTER—
cited as dangerous location for housing of disloyal Japanese 58
defiance among internees of 52
demands of Japanese in 55
description of 45, 46
description of riots in 52, 53
disloyal Japanese moved to 52
dissention in 55
riot in, discussed in People's Daily World 60-61
rioting of Japanese in 55-58
sabotage of Japanese in 55-57
sample menus served to internees of 47
segregation of loyal from disloyal Japanese in 55
TUTTLE, FRANK— signer of call for third American Writers' Congress 127
UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA 235
U
Page
UNITARIAN CHURCH OF LOS ANGELES— letter from Jack Tenney re 143
UNITED STATES ENGINEER DEPARTMENT— testimony of Ray Ander-
son re 22
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT LOS ANGELES— Writers' Congress
under auspices of 115
UNTERMETER, JEAN STARR — signer of call for third American Writers'
Congress 127
UNTERMEYER, LOUIS — signer of call for third American Writers' Congress— 127
UTOPIA — principles of, discussed 70
UTOPIANS—
capitalism accepted by 71
history and beliefs of 70, 71
V
VALE, RENA M.—
author of Sun Rises in the West 118
denials of Communism by 6
excerpt from affidavit by, re John Howard Lawson 132
persons named in affidavit by 6
statement of, re John Howard Lawson 118
VANDERBIE, C. L. — member of Provisional Committee, People's Educational
Center 137
VAN DOREN, CARL— signer of call for third American Writers' Congress 127
VAN TRESS, BEN— attorney in Sleepy Lagoon Murder Case 175
VEGA—
affidavit of H. J. King re 28
crew of, interrogated by immigration inspectors 11
disagreement of ownership of 10
ownership of, by Hans W. Rohl 8
VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS— assistance given committee by 6
VILLASENOR, PEDRO B.—
early history of 197
testimony of, re Sinarquistas 198-204
VOGUE— testimony of Harry W. Flannery re 18
VOICE, THE— Arthur Bell, known as 32
VORSE, MARY HEATON — listed among American writers on staff of Interna-
tional Union of Revolutionary Writers 119
W
WALLIS, KEENE—
listed among American writers on staff of International Union of Revolutionary
Writers 119
Literary Service edited by 119
WAXMAN, AL—
Clyde L. Schultz testimony re 191-192
endorser of Pro-War Press Conference, People's Daily World 139
J. F. Reed testimony re 189
other activities of 142
sponsor of Citizens Committee for Defense of Mexican-American Youth 182
testimony of, re zoot suiters 185-189
WEATHERWAX, CLARA — Pacific Coast branch of League of American Writers
headed by 128
WEINER, JOHN— agent of House of Representatives 31
WELLES, ORSON—
attendance of, at Fourth American Writers' Congress 128
sponsor of Citizens Committee for Defense of Mexican-American Youth ]!>.">
WEST, NATHANIEL — signer of call for American Writers' Congress 121
WEXLEY, JOHN — signer of call for third American Writers' Congress ,_ 127
WHITE, WALTER — member of Writers' Congress advisory committee 116
WILLIAMS, CLAUDIA—
aliases Hoffman, Parker used by 148
Communist activities of 148
236 UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN CALIFORNIA
Page
WINSTEAD, RALPH D. — member of Provisional Committee, People's Educa-
tional Center 187
WINTER, CARL—
activities of, in Communist Party 130
interests of, in People's Educational Center 138
WINTER, ELLA—
signer of call for first American Writers' Congress 121
signer of call for third American Writers' Congress 127
WISE, JAMES WATERMAN— member of National Council of League of Ameri-
can Writers 126
WODEHOUSE. P. G.— testimony of Harry W. Flannery re 16
WOLFF, WILLIAM — member of Provisional Committee, Peoples' Educational
Center 137
WOOLLEY, RALPH — as front man for Hans W. Rohl 22
WORKERS' CULTURAL FEDERATION—
cablegram from Moscow lauding organization of 119
list of officers of 119
WORKERS' SCHOOLS— organization of, as part of Communist educational
system 136
WORNE, CLORE— testimony of Clyde Shoemaker re 179-180
WRIGHT, RICHARD—
member of National Council of League of American Writers 126
signer of call for first American Writers' Congress 121
signer of call for third American Writers' Congress 127
reprint of I Have Seen Black Hands by 125
WRITERS' CONGRESS—
Communistic foundations of disguised 115
invitation to attend 115-116
list of members of advisory committee of 116
WYMAN, THEODORE, JR.—
affidavit of H. J. King re 28
affiliations of 12
army installations near Pearl Harbor in charge of 18
associations with Hans W. Rohl evaluated 31
friendship of, with Hans W. Rohl 11
Roy Anderson testimony re 20
testimony of Naval Officer re 12
WANGER, WALTER — member of Writers' Congress advisory committee 116
Y
YAMATO— definition of 48
YOKOHAMA SPECIE BANK — as transfer agent to divert money to Japan 50
YOUNG, CONE — endorser of Pro-War Press Conference, People's Daily World 139
YOUNG, STANLEY — signer of call for third American Writers' Congress 127
Z
ZERMANO, MANUEL — founding of Sinarquista Movement by 197
ZOOT-SUITERS—
activities of, in Sleepy Lagoon Murder Case 174
also referred to as Pachucos 160
Al Waxman testimony re 185-189
attacks and riots by 160
C. L. Christopher testimony re riots of 165-167
Communist interests in 160
George Contreras testimony re 188
J. F. Reed testimony re riots of 162, 165
Philip Connelly testimony re disturbances of 184, 185
ZUGSMITH, LEANE — signer of call for third American Writers' Congress 127
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